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Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori Infection
Author(s) -
Magalhães Queiroz Dulciene Maria,
Luzza Francesco
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
helicobacter
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.206
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1523-5378
pISSN - 1083-4389
DOI - 10.1111/j.1478-405x.2006.00429.x
Subject(s) - helicobacter pylori , transmission (telecommunications) , breastfeeding , socioeconomic status , epidemiology , environmental health , developing country , helicobacter pylori infection , developed country , population , medicine , feces , colonization , immunology , biology , pediatrics , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology , electrical engineering , engineering
Differences may occur in the mode of transmission of Helicobacter pylori between developed and developing countries: direct human‐to‐human contacts have been suggested as the primary route in the former while the fecal–oral route, also, through contaminated water, in the latter. Data on intrafamilial transmission of H. pylori among children continue to be produced. The importance of low socioeconomic conditions on the acquisition of H. pylori infection has been confirmed in a number of population‐based studies. Due to the improvement of living standards, the prevalence of the infection has fallen dramatically in many countries. It varies from 8.9 to 72.8% among children from developed and developing countries, respectively, the re‐infection rate being also significantly higher in the latter. Conflicting data have been reported on the effect of breastfeeding against H. pylori colonization in infancy as well as on the occupational risk for acquiring H. pylori . This review summarizes recent results from the literature on these topics.