ANTIBODIES TO HELICOBACTER-PYLORI IN DYSPEPTIC PATIENTS, ASYMPTOMATICADULTS, AND CHILDREN FROM COSTA-RICA

An enzyme immunoassay for the detection of serum IgG antibodies to H. pylori whole bacterial sonicate was used in a study of dyspeptic adult patients (n = 165), apparently healthy blood donors (n = 154), and ch ildren (n = 66) from Costa Rica, where a very high incidence of gastri c carcinoma is observed. The mean antibody levels and frequency distri butions were similar in the dyspeptic patients and the blood donors. M eanwhile lower antibody levels to H. pylori were more frequently obser ved in children than in adults, suggesting an age-dependent increase i n seroprevalence, as described in studies from other populations.