Association between seropositivity of antibodies against helicobacter pylori and hepatitis a virus

Abstract EN

Background : Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis A virus are suggested to share common routes of transmission including feco-oral route.

The aim of this study was to know whether it is true or not.

Method : Thirty hundreds and seventy four serum samples were obtained at random basis from healthy volunteers living in four urban and four rural areas of Sari township, and analysed for helicobacter pylori IgG antibody by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Hepatitis A virus antibodies were assayed by micro particle enzyme immunoassay in the same samples.

The association between seropositivity of antibodies against helicobacter pylori and hepatitis A virus was examined for the statistical significance by Fishers Exact test.

Multivariate adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) with their 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were examined by multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results : The seroprevalences of helicobacter pylori and hepatitis A virus were approximately similar (33.1% and 20.5%) .

In this study 22.2% were seropositive for helicobacter pylori and hepatitis A virus antibodies at the same time (OR = 0.01, P < 0.05).

There was a significant relationship between age and seroprevalences of helicobacter pylori (OR=0.72, P < 0.05, 95 % CI-0.3.6-0.73)and both microorganisms at the same time (OR = 0.01, P < 0.05).The seropositivity of Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis A virus and coincidence of both infections at the same time in females were higher than in males (P < 0.05).

Statistically significantly relationship was found between seropositivity of antitfodies against helicobacter pylori, hepatitis A virus and the level of education (OR = 1.69, P < 0.05, 95 % CI-1.4-3.51), (OR = 0.89, P < 0.05, 95 % CI-0.37-0.93) as well as occupation (OR = 1.6, P < 0.05, 95 % CI- 1.25-2.64),(OR = 1.9, P < 0.05,95 % CI-1.8-2.37).

Conclusion : According to our findings there are some shared risk factors to acquire these two pathogens in Iran which indicates common modes of transmission.