Serum anti-Helicobacter pylori IgA and IgG antibodies in asymptomatic children in Serbia

Scand J Infect Dis. 2007;39(4):303-7. doi: 10.1080/00365540601034741.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori and the distribution of anti-H.pylori IgA and IgG antibodies in asymptomatic children aged between 7 and 18 y. We studied the serum samples of 283 children using the commercial ELISA test for the detection of anti-H. pylori IgA and IgG antibodies. The overall prevalence of anti-H. pylori antibodies was 36.4%. The seroprevalence was 35%, 28.3%, 37.5%, and 42.2% for the ages of 7, 10, 14 and 18 y, respectively. Serum IgG antibodies alone were detected in 88.3%, IgA alone in 4.9%, and both IgA and IgG antibodies were detected in 6.8% of samples. The mean levels of IgG antibodies to H. pylori increased with age. We concluded that the prevalence of H. pylori antibodies in Serbian children was high (36.4%), ranging from 35% to 42.2%. The detection of IgG antibodies is useful for the determination of seroprevalence in asymptomatic children.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Helicobacter Infections / epidemiology
  • Helicobacter Infections / immunology*
  • Helicobacter pylori / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Male
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Yugoslavia / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G