The source of Campylobacter pylori

Abstract

Sera from 98 abattoir workers were tested for IgG as well as for IgA to Campylobacter pylori, C. jejuni and Klebsiella. Clerical workers had significantly lower C. pylori and C. jejuni antibody levels than any of the groups in direct contact with freshly cut animal parts. No difference was found for antibodies to Klebsiella. Twenty-nine non-clerical workers with high IgG antibody levels against C. pylori consented to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. C. pylori associated gastritis was found in all 29, and 4 weeks of colloidal bismuth subcitrate (240 mg/twice daily) was prescribed. On repeat testing at 3 months, all showed a decrease in IgG antibody levels to C. pylori but not to C. jejuni, whereas 18 untreated non-endoscoped workers showed no change. These findings raise the possibility that C. pylori infection is a zoonosis.