Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E and Helicobacter pylori in a low socioeconomic area of a metropolitan city in a developing country
Abstract
This study aims to determine the prevalence of coinfection of H. pylori and hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the paediatric age group in an urban slum area of Karachi and identify risk factors associated with co-infection. Five hundred and forty children aged one to 15 years were investigated. Blood samples were collected and questionnaires completed on socio-demographic characteristics. Anti-H. pylori, HEV IgG and IgM antibodies were analysed by enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). Theseroprevalence of H. pylori antibody was 47.2%, while that of HEV IgG and IgM was 14.4% and 2.4%, respectively. 12.4% exhibited seroprevalence for both H. pylori and HEV (IgG). In 67 (26%) cases positive for H. pylori IgG, HEV IgG positivity was also seen (PH. pylori were also positive for HEV IgM (PH. pylori antibody-negative (PP=0.025). H. pylori was common in children who used a non-flush toilet system (PH. pyloriinfection were also exposed to the risk of HEV.