Detection of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;H. pylori&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Antigen in the Stool Samples of Children, in Tekirdag, Turkey

Ayşe Demet Kaya,Dumrul Gülen,Gamze Varol Saraçoğlu,Mine Aydin,Aslihan Uzun

doi:10.4236/health.2014.610109

Abstract

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an important bacterial pathogen, predominantly in undeveloped countries and regions. We conducted this study to investigate the presence of H. pylori antigen in the stool specimens of children, in Tekirdag, Turkey. Material and Methods: Stool specimens of 1441 children aging between 0 month to 15 years, with the complaints of abdominal pain, anemia, gastroenteritis, nausea and vomiting were included in the study. The subjects were divided into three groups based on their ages: Group A (0 month - 5 years), Group B (6 - 10 years) and Group C (11 - 15 years). All specimens were tested for H. pylori antigen with HP Ag (DIA.PRO, Diagnostic Bioprobes, Italy). Results were evaluated statistically. Results: The median age of children with H. pylori positive samples was 6.6 ± 4.1 and 47.9% were girls. Overall positivity of H. pylori stool antigen was 6.6%. Positivity rates due to ages in Groups A, B and C were: 8.9%, 5.8%, 5.2% respectively (x2 = 9.3, p = 0.01). No difference was observed due to gender (x2 = 0.17, p = 0.68). Conclusion: Higher antigen positivity obtained in 0 - 5 years group, indicates the risk of acquiring the infection in early years of life. Preventive measures for the development of H. pylori infection gain importance, especially in developing countries.

Highlights

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an important bacterial pathogen, predominantly in undeveloped countries and regions
In this study we aimed to obtain the first results of this region with investigating the prevalence of H. pylori infection by using H. pylori stool antigen test in symptomatic children
Of the stool samples obtained from 1441 children 96 (6.6%) were positive for H. pylori antigen

Summary

Introduction

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an important bacterial pathogen, predominantly in undeveloped countries and regions. We conducted this study to investigate the presence of H. pylori antigen in the stool specimens of children, in Tekirdag, Turkey. Material and Methods: Stool specimens of 1441 children aging between 0 month to 15 years, with the complaints of abdominal pain, anemia, gastroenteritis, nausea and vomiting were included in the study. Results: The median age of children with H. pylori positive samples was 6.6 ± 4.1 and 47.9% were girls. Overall positivity of H. pylori stool antigen was 6.6%. Conclusion: Higher antigen positivity obtained in 0 - 5 years group, indicates the risk of acquiring the infection in early years of life. How to cite this paper: Kaya, A.D., et al (2014) Detection of H. pylori Antigen in the Stool Samples of Children, in Tekirdag, Turkey. Noninvasive methods include the urea breath test, serologic testsand detecting bacterial antigens in feces. Stool antigen test and urea-breath test demonstrated satisfactory sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis [3]

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Conclusion