Frequency of Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies in food handlers in the university campus, zone 12

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that affects nearly 60% of the world’s population, it´s considered as the most common cause of chronic active gastritis and it is strongly associated to peptic and duodenal ulcerative disease, playing an important role in ethiopatologic process, for this reason it has been classified as type I carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO). The bacterium can be acquired from childhood, and is transmitted fecal - oral, oral - oral, causing specific symptoms that hinder the clinical diagnosis.

This study was conducted in 151 food handlers of the campus of the University of San Carlos located at zone 12, in order to determine the frequency of IgG antibodies to H. pylori in this population and then associate symptoms and risk factors with the presence of these antibodies. The results showed a frequency of positivity for IgG antibodies to H. pylori of 72.19% (109/151), of which 69.81% were female and 77.77% male. No association was found with the presence of IgG antibodies to H. pylori and symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, weight loss, diarrhea, bitter mouth, heartburn, headache and vomiting. As well as between the H. pylori IgG antibodies and risk factors such as overcrowding, salary level, access to safe water and to health services.

We conclude that the frequency of IgG antibodies to H. pylori found in food handlers of the study is 72.1 (95% CI = 64.71-79.66%). It is recommended to provide medical services to the retailers positive for IgG antibodies to H. pylori, to help eradicate the infection and thus reduce the risk of contamination to the population using its services.