Human serum antibody response to Helicobacter pylori whole cell antigen inan institutionalized Bangladeshi population

Aims: To use a commercial ELISA I;it and an immunoblot assay to investigate the antibody levels of selected members of the Bangladeshi population to H elicobacter pylori protein antigens. Methods and Results: Using immunoblotting, high seroprevalence rates were o bserved in all age groups, although the subjects within the 1-9 years age g roup had the highest seroprevalence of antibodies to H. pylori antigens. By ELISA, the highest level of seroprevalence was observed in those over the age of 20 years. Conclusions: On the basis of these results the overall prevalence rate of H . pylori infection for the whole population was 77.4%; 77.9% for orphan boy s and 76% for carers. CagA antibodies were detected in 86% of those with hi gh levels of antibodies to H. pylori antigens. Significance and Impact of the Study: A combination of immunoblotting and E LISA was the most efficient means of detecting serum antibodies to H. pylor i antigens and could be applied to the screening of human sera for H. pylor i-specific antibodies.