Pylori Positivity Research Articles

The Possible Role of Helicobacter pylori in the Development of Sjogren's Syndrome and Chronic Sialadenitis

Background: Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, which can be triggered by environmental factors such as viral infection. Chronic obstructive sialadenitis is the most common type of chronic sialadenitis and many different bacterial infections develop as a result of ductal obstruction. Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the association of these lesions with the presence of Helicobacter pylori. Patients and Methods: A total of 56 biopsies diagnosed as Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and chronic sialadenitis (CS) due to sialolithiasis in submandibular glands, sublingual and minor salivary glands were selected (56 samples as examined group and 20 samples as control group). All the paraffin blocks were cut for hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining to confirm the diagnoses and then the samples were prepared for immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining to detect H. pylori. Chi-squared test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Chi-squared test showed a significant difference between H. pylori positivity in the groups examined (P = 0.046) and between SS group and normal tissue samples (P = 0.013). There was no significant difference between gender and H. pylori positivity in examined groups examined (P = 0.574, P = 0.543, respectively). In addition, there was no significant difference between gender and H. pylori positivity in SS group (P = 0.119, P = 0.331, respectively) also in CS group (P = 0.981, P = 0.571). Conclusions: Bacterial infection has been suggested in the pathogenesis of both SS and CS. In addition, H. pylori is a resident of the oral cavity, thus may be involved in the development and progression of these lesions. Hence, search for H. pylori antibody in blood of patients with SS is suggested.

Risk factors for osteoporosis in Japan: is it associated with Helicobacter pylori?

BackgroundA number of diseases and drugs may influence bone mineral density; however, there are few reports concerning the relationship between lifestyle-related diseases and osteoporosis in Japan as determined by multivariate analysis. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for osteoporosis and whether infection by or eradication of Helicobacter pylori is associated with osteoporosis.MethodsBetween February 2008 and November 2014, using a cross-sectional study design, we investigated patient profile (age, sex, BMI, alcohol, smoking), H. pylori infection status, comorbidities, internal medicine therapeutic agents (calcium channel blocker, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, proton pump inhibitor), serum parameters (Hb, calcium, γGTP), bone turn over markers (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and collagen type I cross-linked N telopeptide (NTX), findings on dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD score in consecutive outpatients aged ≥50 years at our hospital. We divided the subjects into an osteoporosis group and a non-osteoporosis group and investigated risk factors for osteoporosis between the two groups by bivariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsOf the 255 eligible study subjects, 43 (16.9%) had osteoporosis. Bivariate analysis showed that advanced age, female sex, lower body mass index, lower cumulative alcohol intake, lower Brinkman index, H. pylori positivity, lower hemoglobin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, lower prevalence of hiatal hernia, and endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy were related to osteoporosis. Multivariate analysis showed that advanced age (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.19, P<0.001), female sex (OR 6.27, 95% CI 2.26–17.39, P<0.001), low BMI (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72–0.94, P=0.005), H. pylori positivity (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.31–6.88, P=0.009), and BAP (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01–1.14, P=0.035) were related to osteoporosis.ConclusionAdvanced age, low BMI, BAP, and H. pylori positivity were risk factors for osteoporosis; however, the success of H. pylori eradication was not a risk factor for osteoporosis in Japan.

Detection of Helicobacter pylori in Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Lichenoid Reaction

Background: Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the oral mucosa in 0.5-2% of the world’s population. It is more common in women compared to men and the mean age at the onset of the lesion is the fourth decade. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Lichenoid Reaction. Materials and Methods: A total of 41 biopsies diagnosed as Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Lichenoid Reaction and 15 samples as the control group were selected from the archives of Pathology Department of Loghman Hakim Hospital, Tehran, Iran from 2002 to 2009. All the paraffin blocks were cut for hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining to confirm the diagnoses and the samples were then prepared for immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software (version 21.0), the chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test, and independent-samples t test. Statistical significance between the groups was set at P < 0.05. Results: The H. pylori positivity was found in 29.7% and 14.8% of OLP, and OLR samples, respectively. Statistically significant difference was not observed compared to normal tissues (P = 0.661). The chi-squared test show no significant difference between the frequency of H. pylori positivity and the lesion type, gender, and site. Although H. pylori positivity was found in 59.2%, and 50 % of OLP, and OLR samples, respectively, statistically significant difference was not observed compared to normal tissues (P = 0.838). In addition, the chi-squared test show no significant difference between the site of the lesion and H. pylori positivity. H. pylori positivity was mostly found on the buccal mucosa (64.3%), however, H. pylori negativity was mostly found on the tongue (60 %) (P = 0.309). Additionally, the chi-squared test show no significant difference between the frequency of H. pylori positivity, and the gender (P = 0.517). Independent-samples t test showed no statistically significant difference between age and two patient groups statistically (P = 0.450). Conclusions: This present study reveals no significant difference between the presence of H. pylori in OLPs and OLRs. Yet, further studies with larger sample size needs to be done to prove this association.

Intergenerational reduction in Helicobacter pylori prevalence is similar between different ethnic groups living in a Western city

ObjectiveHelicobacter pylori colonisation rates in childhood have declined in Western populations, but it is unknown whether this trend is similar in children of non-Western ethnic backgrounds, born in a Western...

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and vitiligo: a prospective study.

Helicobacter pylori is a worldwide bacteria that may affect several extra-gastric systems, including the endocrine, hematologic, vascular, respiratory, immune, and skin. Several skin diseases, including chronic urticaria, alopecia areata, psoriasis, and systemic lupus erythematosis have been found to be associated with H. pylori infection. To our knowledge, there are no data showing an association between H. pylori and vitiligo. Therefore, in this study, we wanted to evaluate the relationship between H. pylori and vitiligo. This study is a prospective study carried out in our Gastroenterology and Dermatology and Venereology departments of the Ankara Education and Research Hospital (Ankara, Turkey) between July 2013 and December 2013. Seventy-nine consecutive patients with vitiligo and 72 patients with telogen effluvium (TE) were recruited from the dermatology outpatient clinic. A total of 133 patients with vitiligo (n=68) and TE (n=65) [excluding 18 patients who had suspicious urea breath test (UBT) results] were included in the study. All individuals were tested for H. pylori IgG and CagA. Also, a UBT was performed to detect the presence of H. pylori infection. There were significantly higher rates of H. pylori positivity, H. pylori CagA, and IgG in serum in the vitiligo group than in the TE group (p<0.05). The number of patients with dyspepsia was significantly higher in the vitiligo group than in the TE group. No statistically significant relationship was seen between H. pylori positivity, CagA, H. pylori IgG, dyspepsia, and the Vitiligo Disease Activity score (p>0.05). Also, when patients with vitiligo were divided into localized and generalized types of vitiligo, there was no association between vitiligo involvement pattern and H. pylori positivity, CagA, H. pylori IgG, and dyspepsia (p>0.05). Additional studies are necessary to evaluate the effect of H. pylori eradication on the clinical course of vitiligo. Further studies are also needed to explain the relationship between H. pylori and the pathogenesis of vitiligo.

Association between Helicobacter Pylori and Gastric Cancer

A casual relation has been thought to exist between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer. The present study was carried out to find correlation between H. pylori and gastric carcinogenesis. A case control study was performed in the department of endoscopy, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, between January 2008 and February 2009. All patients having carcinoma stomach on endoscopic evaluation later confirmed by histopathological examination were included. Total 50 healthy individuals, with no positive finding in endoscopy were included in control group. Total 37 cases were analyzed. There were 23 (62.2%) males and 14 (37.8%) females. Majority were above 60 years (46%). Blood group A was commonest group found in patients with carcinoma stomach. Distal part, antrum, 20 (54%) was commonest location of tumor and Borrmann type three was commonest endoscopic type of tumor presentation. Majority of patients received triple therapy and H. pylori detection was low in those treated with triple therapy. Distal tumors were significantly associated with increased prevalence of H. pylori positivity. Total incidence of H. pylori in cases was 54% (20/37). In 15 (75%) cases, H. pylori could be detected by both ELISA and biopsy method. Incidence of H. pylori in controls was 64% (32/50). There was no statistically significant difference in H. pylori presence in cases and control. Our study couldn't establish association between H. pylori and gastric cancer. More prospective trials can help find out correlation between combination of risk factors and gastric cancer.

Cigarette smoking status and Helicobacter pylori infection in non-ulcer dyspepsia patients

Background and objectiveThere is strong, if not conclusive, evidence that Helicobacter pylori plays a role in duodenal ulcer disease, gastric ulcer disease, and gastric adenocarcinoma. The potential association with nonulcer dyspepsia, however, still remains unclear despite the large number of studies that have attempted to elucidate it, smoking has been found to be related to a higher incidence of H. pylori in non-ulcer dyspepsia patients. Therefore we aimed to find out the incidence of H. pylori infection in our group of non-ulcer dyspepsia patients and to study the relationship between smoking status of the patients and H. pylori positivity in them. Patient and methodsAll patients presenting with dyspepsia in whom upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy had ruled out acute or chronic peptic ulceration, esophagitis, gastric cancer, and other structural and metabolic causes were taken as patients of non-ulcer dyspepsia. Urea breath test was used for all patients. The history was reviewed; especially their smoking statuses were recorded. ConclusionIn our study we found that the prevalence of H. pylori positivity was 43% and there was no statistically significant difference between smokers, non-smokers and ex smokers in the positivity rate of H. pylori in NUD patients.

The relation between Helicobacter pylori and ulcerative colitis.

Besides some genetic explanations of the native course of ulcerative colitis (UC), the most attributable factors are pathogenic bacterial agents. There are some conflicting data about the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and the rate of UC in the literature. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the rate of H. pylori in UC patients. Forty-nine individuals diagnosed with UC who had undergone upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy for different reasons were included in the study. The presence of H. pylori in the stomach was checked by histopathological examination. H. pylori positivity was present in 57.1% of patients with UC. Interestingly, H. pylori positivity was lower (11.1%) in pancolitis patients compared to those presenting with more limited illnesses. There were no relationships among the severity of the underlying disease, medication already used, and H. pylori positivity rate. The extension of UC is important for the positivity rate of H. pylori. It could not be determined whether the low positivity of H. pylori in extended UC cases was due to immunosuppressive drugs or to the UC itself.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori and its virulence factors on portal hypertensive gastropathy and interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels

Background/Aim:We aimed to assess the influence of Helicobacter pylori and its virulent factors, cytotoxin associated gene (cag) A and E, on portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) and the levels of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).Patients and Methods:The patients with cirrhosis underwent screening endoscopy and the lesions related to PHG were graded. Biopsies were obtained for histology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of H. pylori 16S rRNA, cagA, cagE, and tissue cytokine levels was carried out. Absent or mild PHG was compared with moderate to severe PHG.Results:One hundred and forty patients with cirrhosis were studied; males numbered 92 and the mean age of the patients was 50.3 ± 12.0 years, H. pylori positivity in 87 (62.1%) patients was associated with male gender (P = 0.032), younger age (P = 0.029), hepatitis D etiology (P = 0.005), higher serum albumin (0.000), lower Child Pugh score (P = 0.001), and lower portal vein diameter (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the levels of TNF-α and IL-8. However, a decrease in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was noted with moderate to severe gastropathy. Four H. pylori strains were positive for both cagA and cagE, while four were positive for cagA only. All the four patients with both virulent factors had mild gastropathy only.Conclusion:The presence of H. pylori infection neither affected the severity of PHG nor augmented the IL-8 and TNF-α levels. There was a decline of virulent H. pylori strains and IL-10 levels in patients with advanced PHG.

Detection of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Egyptian patients with chronic calcular cholecystitis

Reports of Helicobacter pylori in biliary tract diseases in humans are very fragmentary, and therefore there is a need for further investigations. This study aims to detect H. pylori in the bile and gall bladder (GB) of patients with chronic calcular cholecystitis (CCC), and to determine the association of H. pylori infection with gallstone type. Thirty patients with CCC admitted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were investigated, including upper gastro-endoscopy before cholecystectomy. Rapid urease test and histopathological examination were performed on gastric biopsies. The GB specimens were investigated for the presence of H. pylori by immunohistochemistry (IHC). H. pylori antigen in bile was detected by enzyme immunoassay. Chemical analysis of gallstones was performed to determine type. Immunohistochemistry testing showed 73.3 % and 66.7% positivity among GB neck and body biopsies, respectively, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity. A significant association was found between gastric and GB H. pylori positivity (P<0.01). H. pylori antigen was detected in bile from three CCC cases. The greatest number of stones were of the calcium bilirubinate type. Gall bladder positivity for H. pylori was accompanied by chronic quiescent gastritis (40.9%). In conclusion, H. pylori infection may be an aetiological factor leading to cholecystitis. Gastric colonisation with H. pylori could be a source for GB infection, and the organism may act as a lithogenic component, especially in the context of pure pigmented gallstones.

Prevalence of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Helicobacter pylori&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; and hygiene practices among public secondary school students in Ikeja local government area, Lagos, Nigeria

This study determined prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and hygiene practices among public secondary school students in Ikeja Local Government Area (LGA), Lagos state, Nigeria. An institutional-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among two randomly selected secondary schools. One hundred (100) consented students participated in the study and interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire while blood samples were collected by venipuncture. Respondents’ ages were 16.1 ± 2.8 years and 54.0% were females. Mean number of persons living in a room was 7.0 ± 3.5, and however, 39.0% of the respondents lived in a room with 4 - 6 persons. The prevalence of H. pylori was 59.0% (59/100). Majority, 64.4% of those infected with H. pylori were 15 years and above while 62.7% females were tested positive to H. pylori. Some, 38.9% of the participants infected with H. pylori drink tap water while 84.7% did hand washing after visiting toilets with water and soap. Mostly, 64.0% of those tested positive to H. pylori did not experience abdominal pain in the last 4 weeks. No significant association existed between drinking water source, hand washing practice after defecation and H. pylori positivity. Routine examination of school students is required to detect Helicobacter pylori in order to commence treatment immediately and awareness about the H. pylori infection should be increased throughout secondary school to prevent further infection.

Helicobacter pylori infection among patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms: prevalence and relation to endoscopy diagnosis and histopathology.

Aim:To determine the prevalence of H. pylori based on endoscopic biopsy and to investigate the association between H. pylori and endoscopy diagnosis and histopathological diagnosis.Materials and Methods:Over a period of two years, 228 endoscopic biopsies were included. Endoscopy diagnosis, histopathological diagnosis, and colonization with H. pylori were recorded and compared using appropriate statistical tests.Results:The overall prevalence of H. pylori was 68%; 69.6% in males and 66.7% in females. Duodenal and gastric ulcers were seen more in males (63.2% and 60%) compared with females (32.1% and 40%) (P < 0.001). The total rate of colonization of H. pylori in duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer (85.7% and 84%, respectively) was significantly higher than those in gastritis, duodenitis, and gastric cancer (61.8%, 69.2%, and 60%, respectively) (P = 0.046). Histologically, chronic active gastritis and chronic follicular gastritis was significantly higher in duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer (57.1%, 44% and 21%, 40%) in comparison to chronic persistent gastritis (21.4%, 16%) with P value < 0.001. Similarly, chronic active gastritis and chronic follicular gastritis had higher prevalence of H. pylori infection in comparison to chronic persistent gastritis (85.3%, 83.3% vs. 41.4%) with P value < 0.001.Conclusion:This study reveals that the overall prevalence of H. pylori infection is high in our setting with no significant difference in gender. Peptic ulcers were common in males. Those with peptic ulcers had higher rates of H. pylori colonization. Chronic active gastritis and chronic follicular gastritis were common histological findings in ulcerative diseases with significantly higher H. pylori positivity.

Epidemiology of Gastric Cancer in the Gangetic Areas of West Bengal

There is marked geographical variation in the distribution and incidence of stomach cancer. We tried here to describe the pattern of relationships of age, sex, religion distribution, symptom profile, histological subtypes and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection with gastric cancer in Gangetic West Bengal. This study was done over a period of five years (2006–2010). The patients residing in the Gangetic areas of West Bengal presenting with upper gastrointestinal symptoms underwent UGI endoscopy. Among gastric cancer patients, demographic characteristics, symptomatology, macroscopic and histologic lesions and H. pylori status were analyzed. At confidence level 95%, “Z” and “P” value were calculated to find significance. Among 23851 patients underwent UGI endoscopy, 14106 were males, 9745 females, 17889 Hindus and 5962 Muslims. Among 462 gastric cancer patients, Male : Female 2.7 : 1, Hindus : Muslim 3 : 1, abdominal pain, indigestion, and weight-loss were commonest presentations. Antrum was the commonest site whereas ulceroproliferative type was commonest type. H. pylori positivity was 80.89% in adenocarcinoma with statistically significant relation with intestinal type. In future, our target will be to modify risk factors; it will need further demographic studies and analysis, so that we can detect it earliest.

Ethnicity is a strong predictor for Helicobacter pylori infection in young women in a multi‐ethnic European city

At the same time that Helicobacter pylori prevalence is declining in Western countries, immigrants from developing countries with high H. pylori prevalence have settled in Western urban areas. Actual epidemiological data on H. pylori in a migrant community may help in realizing a more selective approach to assess H. pylori-related diseases. We aimed to define H. pylori prevalence as well as risk groups for H. pylori in a cohort of young women living in a multi-ethnic European city. We measured Immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-H. pylori and CagA-antibodies in serum of pregnant women included in a population-based prospective cohort study, the Generation R study. Information on demographics and socioeconomic status was collected by questionnaires. Chi-square and logistic regression were used. In total, 3146 (46%) of the 6837 tested women (mean age 29.7 ± 5.3) were H. pylori-positive and 1110 (35%) of them were CagA-positive. The H. pylori prevalence in Dutch women was 24%, which was significantly lower than in non-Dutch women (64%; P < 0.001). In particular, H. pylori positivity was found in 92% of Moroccan (odds ratio 19.2; 95% confidence interval 11.8-32.0), 80% of Cape Verdean (7.6; 5.0-11.5), 81% of Turkish (9.0; 6.7-12.1), 60% of Dutch Antillean (3.3; 2.3-4.7), and 58% of Surinamese women (3.0; 2.3-3.8). Among H. pylori-positive Dutch subjects, 19% were CagA-positive compared with 40% of the non-Dutch subjects (P < 0.001). Despite a general trend of declining prevalence in Western countries, H. pylori remains highly prevalent in migrant communities, which may constitute target groups for screening and eradication to prevent H. pylori-related diseases.

Helicobacter Pylori Positivity and the Need for Obtaining Pathologic Samples from Patients with Normal Gastroscopic Findings

Helicobacter Pylori Positivity and the Need for Obtaining Pathologic Samples from Patients with Normal Gastroscopic Findings

Influence of Helicobacter pylori Infection on the Small Intestinal Mucosa

Background/Aims. To investigate the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the development of enteritis (small intestinal mucosal injury). Methodology. Between April 2007 and January 2013, 99 patients undergoing capsule endoscopy (CE) were tested for anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G antibody (Hp-IgG) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). None of the patients had been treated for H. pylori infection or diagnosed as having Crohn’s disease or any other clinically apparent small intestinal disorders prior to the CE. Results. The overall Hp-IgG-positive rate was 26.3%. The incidence of enteritis, as diagnosed by CE, tended to be lower in the Hp-IgG-positive patients (23.1%) than in the Hp-IgG-negative patients (38.4%) (). When patients receiving aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), well-known causes of enteritis, were excluded, the incidence of enteritis in the Hp-IgG-positive patients (11.7%) was significantly lower than that in the Hp-IgG-negative patients (43.7%) (). A binomial logistic regression analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between Hp-IgG positivity and the presence of enteritis in patients receiving neither aspirin nor NSAIDs (). Conclusions. Our data indicated that H. pylori positivity was inversely associated with the prevalence of enteritis.

Comparison of Uremic Patients with Non-Uremic Controls Regarding Gastroscopic Findings and Helicobacter Pylori Positivity

Comparison of Uremic Patients with Non-Uremic Controls Regarding Gastroscopic Findings and Helicobacter Pylori Positivity

Su1902 Molecular Analysis of Human Gastric Microbiota by Pyrosequencing for 16s rRNA Gene in Patients With Gastric Cancer Depending on H. pylori Positivity

Su1902 Molecular Analysis of Human Gastric Microbiota by Pyrosequencing for 16s rRNA Gene in Patients With Gastric Cancer Depending on H. pylori Positivity

Clinical Factors Related with Helicobacter Pylori Infection - Is there an Association with Gastric Cancer History in First-Degree Family Members?

The aim of this study was to assess clinical factors associated with Helicobacter pylori positivity and to evaluate the incidence of gastric carcinoma in first-degree family members of infected patients. A total of 580 patients (mean age:38±17) with gastrointestinal complaints underwent C-14 urea breath test (UBT). Patients were grouped as: Group-1, untreated patients (n:384); and Group-2, patients who previously treated with eradication triple therapy (n:196). C-14 UBT was performed 1-2 months after the completion of eradication therapy. Associations of H pylori positivity with age, gender, ABO and Rhesus groups, smoking, dietary habits, and history of gastric cancer in first-degree family members were evaluated. The frequency of H pylori positivity was significantly higher in group-1 (58%) compared to group-2 (20%), p=0.001. There were no correlations between H pylori positivity and age, gender, ABO groups, Rhesus subgroups, smoking and dietary habits in both patient groups. The frequency of gastric cancer in family members was significantly higher in patients with H pylori infection among group-1, compared to infected patients among group-2 (56% vs. 28.6% respectively, p=0.03). We observed a significant association between H pylori positivity and the presence of gastric cancer in first-degree relatives of group-1 patients. Our results provide some confirmation of the presence of a link between gastric cancer development and H pylori. C-14 UBT is a sensitive, reliable and a widely recommended test for the detection of H pylori infection and recurrence. We suggest that detection and eradication of H pylori may contribute to a reduced risk of gastric cancer in the family members of infected patients.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection evaluated by Stool antigen test in Khuzestan Province since September to October 2009, south-west of Iran: a population based study

Background: Although infection with Helicobacter pylori is a global health problem, its prevalence is different among countries. Serologic tests for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection are limited by low accuracy rates and lack of validation. Recent studies indicate that the stool antigen test has an acceptable level of accuracy. Objectives: Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in Khuzestan province, south-west of Iran by stool antigen test and to evaluate possible risk factors for the H. pylori infection. Patients and Methods: In this study, from September to October 2009, 861 healthy individuals aged 0-80 years were sampled by cluster sampling from 4.5 million inhabitants of the province. Infection with H. pylori was evaluated by detection of H. pylori antigens in stool (HpSA). Epidemiologic data of each subject were determined by filling up a questionnaire. Results: The overall HpSA positivity was (53.5%, CI 95% = 50.2-56.84%) and the mean age of infected cases was greater than that of non-infected ones (29.2 yrs vs. 24.5 yrs) (P < 0.001). HpSA positivity increased with age. The peak prevalence was reached in the 41–50 years age group (66%). No association was detected between H. pylori positivity and gender. Additionally, there was no significant relationship between H. pylori infection and previous hospital admission, gastrointestinal symptoms, and living area (P > 0.05). Conclusions: H. pylori infection is highly prevalent (57%) in Khuzestan province, south-west of Iran. Low educational levels, low socioeconomic jobs, and increasing age were related to high prevalence of H. pylori infection in this area.