Seroepidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in immigrants [Sieroepidemiologia dell'infezione da helicobacter pylori in immigrati extra-comunitari]

The Authors studied the Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in a sample of immigrants of different origin in Naples. The analysis for anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies was performed with an enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. The global prevalence of anti-Helicobacter antibodies was 65.9%. Prevalence was high in African subjects and low in immigrants from South Asia. Helicobacter pylori infection seems to be acquired during the first years of life and was not associated with alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking. Education level, which could be considered an indicator of socio-economic status, is an important and significant predictor of Helicobacter pylori infection.