Omeprazole as a risk factor for campylobacter gastroenteritis: case-control study.

Abstract

Gastric acid protects against enteric infections,1 and patients who have had gastric surgery or are taking H2antagonists are more susceptible to salmonella infection.2 3 Antibiotic treatment also increases the risk of infection.3 It is not known whether these factors are also associated with campylobacter infection, for which statutory notifications now exceed those for salmonella.4 We conducted a case-control study to assess whether gastric antisecretory drugs, antibiotics, and abdominal surgery are associated with campylobacter infection. Between January 1992 and August 1994, 243 notified cases of campylobacter infection, confirmed by faecal culture, were identified in people aged 45 and over in two of the local district councils within Nottingham Health Authority. Thirty two cases were excluded (non-resident (four), general practitioner declined (19), patient died and notes unobtainable (six), and notes unobtainable at general practice (three)), leaving 211 (123 women). The …