Rapid Communication
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 28, 2006; 12(12): 1957-1961
Published online Mar 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i12.1957
Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in dyspeptic patients and its relationship with HIV infection, ABO blood groups and life style in a university hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
Feleke Moges, Afework Kassu, Getahun Mengistu, Solomon Adugna, Berhanu Andualem, Takeshi Nishikawa, Fusao Ota
Feleke Moges, Afework Kassu, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
Getahun Mengistu, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Solomon Adugna, Department of Biochemistry, Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
Berhanu Andualem, Department of Biology, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
Takeshi Nishikawa, Hokkaido University of Education, Sapporo Campus, Division of Medicine and Nursing, Japan
Afework Kassu, Fusao Ota, Department of Preventive Environment and Nutrition, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima, Japan
Supported by University of Gondar
Correspondence to: Feleke Moges, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, PO Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia. felekemogesy@yahoo.com
Telephone: +251-8-110174-250 Fax: +251-8-111479
Received: June 22, 2005
Revised: June 22, 2005
Accepted: June 22, 2005
Published online: March 28, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) among dyspeptic patients and to assess the relationship between H pylori infection, blood group, HIV infection and life style of the patients.

METHODS: In a hospital-based cross-sectional study, patients attending Outpatient Department of University of Gondar Hospital were enrolled. Socio-demographic information was collected using questionnaires. Serum was analyzed for anti-H pylori IgG antibodies using a commercial kit. HIV serostatus was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Blood grouping was performed by slide agglutination tests.

RESULTS: A total of 215 dyspeptic patients were included in the study. One hundred and sixteen patients (54%) were females and 99 (46%) were males. Anti-H pylori IgG antibodies were detected in sera of 184 (85.6%) patients. The prevalence was significantly higher in patients aged 50 years and above. Twenty point five percent of the patients were found to be seropositive for HIV. No significant association was found between sex, ABO blood groups, consumption of spicy diets, socio-economic status and seropositivity for H pylori. However, alcohol consumption was significantly associated with H pylori serology.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of H pylori infection is associated with a history of alcohol intake and older age. The effect of different diet, alcohol and socioeconomic status as risk factors for H pylori infection needs further study.

Keywords: H pylori, Blood group, HIV, Life style