Active infection with Helicobacter pylori in healthy couples

The mode of spread of Helicobacter pylori infection is subject to ongoing d ebate. Recent studies among patients with gastrointestinal disorders sugges t a potential role of conjugal transmission. In this study, the clustering of H. pylori infection was assessed among 110 employees of a health insuran ce company and their partners. Active infection with H. pylori was measured by the C-13-urea breath test. Information on potential confounders was col lected by a standardized questionnaire. Overall, 16 employees (14.5 %) and 24 partners (21.8 %) were infected. While only 7% (6/86) of employees with an uninfected partner were infected, this applied to 42 % (10/24) of employ ees with an infected partner. A very strong relation between partners' infe ction status persisted after control for age and other potential confounder s (adjusted odds ratio, 7.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-26.7). Furthermor e, the risk of infection increased with the number of years lived with an i nfected partner. These results support the hypothesis of a major role of sp ouse-to-spouse transmission of H. pylori infection.