[Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in Hungary (comparative sero-epidemiologic study)]

In the last decade pathogenetical role of Helicobacter pylori infection has been proved in development of gastroduodenal alterations. DNA-RNA hybridisation and protein profile studies proved that Helicobacter pylori is an organism distinct from other bacteria. Therefore serology became a useful method to study the epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in various populations. In Hungary sera were collected from adults aged 20-60 in blood banks (Military Hospital, Tolna County Hospital) in 1993. The samples were classified in 5 year increment groups and questionnaires were filled out. Anti-H. pylori IgG were tested using Cobas Core kit (Roche Diagnostic). The overall rate of seropositivity was 63.3%. The prevalence according to age was the following: 20-24 yrs = 44%, 25-29 yrs = 40%, 30-34 yrs = 52%, 35-39 yrs = 64%, 40-44 yrs = 75%, 45-49 yrs = 73%, 50-54 yrs = 77%, 55-59 yrs = 83%. There were no statistical difference between gender, living in urban or rural areas at the time of collection or in childhood, between the level of education, type of labour or social status. However we found statistical correlation between anti-H. pylori seropositivity and epigastric symptoms. The same characteristics of Helicobacter pylori infection were found in Hungary as well as in other countries. In groups between 20 and 30 years has been proved lower prevalence in Hungary than in Poland, Bulgaria.