PREVALENCE OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION IN A RURAL AREA OF THE STATE OF MATO-GROSSO, BRAZIL

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was evaluated by ELISA in 40 children and teenagers and in 164 adults from a rural area of t he State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Antibodies to H. pylori were detected in the serum of 31 (77.5%) children and teenagers and in 139 (84.7%) adults. The prevalence of infection increased with age (chi(2) for tre nd, p < 0.01) even though no variations occurred in the region in the present century in terms of living conditions or sanitation, economica l development and migratory influx supporting the hypothesis that the infection is also acquired during later life in developing countries. An inverse correlation was observed between the prevalence of infectio n and annual family income (chi(2) for trend, p < 0.013). There was no correlation between type of system for sewage disposal and prevalence of infection (p = 0.8). in conclusion, the prevalence of H. pylori in fection in Nossa Senhora do Livramento, a rural area front Brazil, is very high and similar to that observed in other developing countries. Furthermore, the increase in the prevalence of infection with age obse rved in this population seems to be due to both, cohort effect and acq uisition of the infection during later life.