The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in a population from southern Estonia

Objectives Previous retrospective histological studies have revealed a Helicobacter pylori infection rate of 73–79%. Cross-sectional studies on H. pylori prevalence are still lacking in Estonia. Design A total of 1461 inhabitants between the ages of 15 and 95 years from the village of Karksi-Nuia and 497 between the ages of 50 and 91 years from Abja-Paluoja were examined for IgG antibodies to H. pylori. This study was performed on a quasi-global sample of the general adult rural population in two villages in southern Estonia. Method A cell-surface glycine extract of H. pylori strain NCTC 11637 was used as antigen in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results IgG antibodies to H. pylori strain NCTC 11637 were detected in 87.0±2.3% of the inhabitants of Karksi-Nuia and in 89.3±3.6% of those from Abja-Paluoja. IgG prevalence rates increased from 69.0±9.5% in the 15− to 19-year-old age group to 83.0±7.1% in the 20− to 29-year-olds (P<0.05). Conclusion We found an extremely high prevalence rate of H. pylori infection in this Estonian adult rural population. H. pylori infection was very prevalent among young people (aged 15–29 years).