ROYAL-SOCIETY-OF-TROPICAL-MEDICINE-AND-HYGIENE MEETING AT MANSON-HOUSE, LONDON, 16 FEBRUARY 1995 - ASPECTS OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTIONIN THE DEVELOPING AND DEVELOPED WORLD - HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION, NUTRITION AND GROWTH OF WEST-AFRICAN INFANTS

Helicobacter pylori is probably the commonest bacterial infection of h umankind. In adults, colonization of the stomach Is associated with ch ronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer disease. However, children in the d eveloping world acquire H, pylori soon after birth, and there is evide nce that it plays a part, through suppression of the gastric acid barr ier, in the pathogenesis of the syndrome of diarrhoea, malnutrition an d growth failure. Infants born of mothers who secrete milk with high l evels of anti-ti, pylori immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody acquire the i nfection later than those born of mothers with low specific antibody l evels. Enhancement of maternal breast milk anti-H, pylori IgA levels m ay protect infants from H. pylori infection during the vulnerable wean ing period when many are susceptible to enteric infections, leading to recurrent diarrhoea and adverse consequences on nutrition and growth.