Evidence of intra-familial transmission of Helicobacter pylori by PCR-based RAPD fingerprinting in Bangladesh

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2009 Jul;28(7):767-73. doi: 10.1007/s10096-008-0699-8. Epub 2009 Feb 4.

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a genetically diverse bacterial species, which has facilitated adaptation to new hosts and persists worldwide. The main objective of this study was to explore intra-familial transmission of H. pylori in Bangladesh. We characterized H. pylori in 35 families including 138 family members using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting. Forty-six percent of H. pylori isolated from the mother shared a related genotype with strains isolated from their children. Twenty-nine percent of H. pylori isolates of the mother are related to the youngest children. Only 6% of the parents shared related genotype of H. pylori. These findings suggest that mother-to-child transmission occurs in early childhood and is the most probable route of transmission of H. pylori in Bangladesh.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bacterial Typing Techniques*
  • Bangladesh / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • DNA Fingerprinting / methods*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Family Health*
  • Female
  • Helicobacter Infections / epidemiology*
  • Helicobacter Infections / microbiology
  • Helicobacter Infections / transmission*
  • Helicobacter pylori / classification*
  • Helicobacter pylori / genetics
  • Helicobacter pylori / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial