Helicobacter pylori (Hp) multiplex serology and its dynamics within families during a three-year prospective follow-up.

Abstract

Objectives: Transmission routes of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) have been extensively studied, but many aspects remain unclear. This study explored the dynamics of multiplex Hp-serology within regular families during a 36-month prospective follow-up.

Methods: Altogether 329 families from the Finnish Family HPV (FFHPV)-study were subjected to sequential blood sampling and now tested also for six Hp-proteins; HP0010, HP0073, HP0547, HP0875, HP0887, and HP1564 using Multiplex serology assay.

Results: Hp-seropositivity, as defined by being seropositive to at least 3 of the 6 Hp proteins, was more common among the fathers (20%) than mothers (10%). After maternal antibody decay, only few children tested Hp-seropositive at later follow-up visits, indicating that acquisition of Hp-infection is practically non-existent (0.4% to 2.0%) at an early age. No evidence was found to support the person-to-person transmission of Hp in this cohort, as there was no correlation in Hp-seropositivity or antibody levels between the spouses and/or their offspring, and Hp-seropositive individuals did not seem to increase the risk of other family members to co-test Hp-seropositive.

Conclusion: Our results perfectly agree with a recently published register-linkage study from Finland, where Hp and Hp-related co-morbidity are predicted to disappear among the native Finns during the 21^st century.