Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Renal Transplant Recipient Attending Duhok Kidney Disease Center.

INTRODUCTION

Helicobacter pylori plays an important role in the development of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer in the general population. Although dyspeptic complaints are frequent in renal transplant subjects, the role of H pylori in such complaints is not clear. This study was conducted to examine the prevalence of H pylori infection in patients with renal transplant and its role in the development of upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) symptoms.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

We compared the prevalence of H pylori in 109 renal transplant subjects with the prevalence of 161 healthy volunteers using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure anti-H pylori IgG. Then, within the transplant group, we stratified our data in accordance with different variables, including upper GIT symptoms, sex, education level, smoking, and dialysis history.

RESULTS

The prevalence of H pylori in the control group was 111 of 161 (68.9%), which was significantly higher than that found in renal transplant subjects (48/109; 43.04%; P = .001). Within the transplant group, no association was found between immunoglobulin G positivity and different variables including upper GIT symptoms, sex, education level, smoking, and dialysis history.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of H pylori was lower in transplant subjects than that of general population. Upper GIT symptoms were equally found in both groups. Hence, the routine eradication of H pylori might not be indicated.