Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a common bacterial infection among humans. Current knowledge implies that acquisition of H. pylori seems to occur predominantly in childhood and a major role of intrafamilial spread is now beyond controversy. However, the major route of transmission remains poorly understood. The prevalence of H. pylori infection continues to vary markedly between developing countries and developed countries, and according to ethnicity, place of birth and socioeconomic factors among people living in the same country. According to the nation-wide seroprevalence study for 5,732 asymptomatic Korean population, which was conducted from March 1998 to October 1998, the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was 46.6%, showing the transition from a developing country to a developed country. The seroprevalence in children (neonate-15 yr) and adult (16-79 yrs) were 17.2% and 66.9%, respectively. According to multivariate analysis, variables such as sex, age, geographic area, crowding (number of person per room) in childhood, economic status in childhood, and types of housing in childhood were significantly and independently associated with H. pylori seroprevalence of adults. In children, age, geographic area, household income, mother's education, and drinking water source were significant factors of H. pylori infection. As 7 years has already passed since the nation-wide study, well designed study for the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection, by which epidemiological factors and the route of transmission of H. pylori infection could be discovered, is warranted.
Helicobacter Infections/*epidemiology/transmission ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Seroepidemiologic Studies

INTRODUCTIONHelicobacter pylori has been recognised as a major cause of gastroduodenal diseases, including gastric and duodenal ulcers with faeco-oral, oro-oral and gastro-oral transmission occurring. With the close personal contact inherent in patient care, health care workers may be at an increased risk of acquiring H. pylori and subsequent development of associated conditions. The objective of this review was to review the transmission and the occupational risk for health care workers.

METHODSA literature search was performed using Pubmed (January 1990 to May 2001). Relevant key words were used and additional manual searches were made using the reference lists from the selected articles to retrieve other papers relevant to the topic.

RESULTSCurrent knowledge implies various pathways of agent transmission, favouring person-to-person mode of transmission early in life. Faeco-oral, oro-oral and gastro-oral transmissions are proposed and may be of different relevance among various populations. As for health care workers, after elimination of the methodological weak studies, the risk seems to be increased in gastroenterologists, endoscopy staff and intensive care nurses. Results in other groups are conflicting.

CONCLUSIONSH. pylori infection is an occupational risk in some groups of health care workers. Studies are needed to elucidate the risk in other occupational groups.

Helicobacter Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; transmission ; Helicobacter pylori ; physiology ; Humans ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional ; Medical Staff ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo understand and analyze the infection situation of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

METHODSExtensively reviewing Chinese literature collecting the related with electronic documents in combination with manual retrieve and using Meta-analysis to do a quantitative analysis.

RESULTSSlight difference in the infection rate of H. pylori between men and women (95% CI: 0.0579-0.0963) was noticed. The infection rate of H. pylori in children whose parent was positive with infection of this bacteria was higher than that of children whose parent was negative (95% CI: 0.3378-0.5042).

CONCLUSIONThe infection rate of H. pylori showed gender difference with nature of family aggregation. Epidemiological studies of H. pylori was comprehensive and involved many aspects. Further investigation needs to be focused on infection rate and other risk factors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Family Health ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Helicobacter pylori ; immunology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors