[Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori anti-CagA antibodies and its relationship with epidemiologic factors in Santa Fe]

Abstract

The early detection of anti-CagA antibodies in young adults would be of a great clinical impact in the prevention of gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to assess IgG and anti-CagA antibodies seroprevalence against Helicobacter pylori in our region using a non invasive technique, easy to perform an evaluating its relationship with different epidemiological risk factors. Four hundred and thirty-five volunteers with a mean age of forty years old from different health centers were included in this study. Demographic socieconomical and other data of interest were recorded. IgG and CagA antibodies against Helicobacter pylori were determined using an enzyme immunoassay technique. The prevalence of IgG antibodies was 52.2% being 152 in women (53.7%) and 75 in men (49%). These antibodies were showed in 65% of affected patients and 43.1% in asymptomatic carriers. The prevalence anti-CagA antibodies was 63.4% among seropositives (IgG) individuals corresponding to 33.1% of the total studied population. Ninety-six (33.9%) persons of this group were women an 48 (31.6%) were men. The prevalence was 45.4% and 25.7% in symptomatic an asymptomatic individuals, respectively. It was demonstrated that IgG antibodies were associated with age, area of residence, educational level reached and number of bedrooms in the house. The anti-CagA antibodies depend on area of residence and symptoms. The relation between the symptoms and the presence of anti-CagA antibodies shows the selective importance of clinical data in the gastric diseases associated with Helicobacter pylori.