HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION AND FOREIGN TRAVEL

Seroprevalence of antibodies to Helicobacter pylori is generally highe r in developing than in developed countries. The route of transmission of H. pylori is unknown but is most commonly assumed to be fecal-oral . Gastroenteritis in a person traveling to developing countries is oft en a marker of exposure to fecally contaminated food or water, Of 133 initially seronegative young Swedes traveling to developing countries for a total of 16.4 years, of whom 102 reported having had at least on e episode of gastroenteritis, not one seroconverted. This rate is lowe r than in studies of residents in developed countries and casts some d oubt on the theory of fecal-oral transmission via a common source as a n important mode of transmission of infection with Helicobacter pylori .