Helicobacter pylori infection and serum gastrin, ghrelin and leptin in children of Polish shepherds.

OBJECTIVE

Family unit is generally accepted as one of the contributors to Helicobacter pylori infection that is most frequently acquired in childhood, so it seems logical to diagnose and treat this infection in childhood. This study was designed to assess H. pylori prevalence in children from shepherd families having contacts with sheep.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study involved 146 children (58 M/88 F, age 6-17 years; mean: 10.2 years) from families living in Polish Tatra Mountains with contact (group A, n=58) or without contact with sheep (group B, n=88). H. pylori status was determined by (13)C-urea breath test and was compared to 141 age- and gender-matched urban controls (group C). In both groups of mountain children, the anti-H. pylori and anti-CagA IgG were measured by ELISA and serum gastrin, ghrelin and leptin concentrations by RIA.

RESULTS

The H. pylori prevalence in group A was significantly higher (58.6%) than that in group B (21.6%) and urban controls (26%). Serum gastrin concentrations were significantly higher in H. pylori-positive than in H. pylori-negative mountain children (52.2+/-5.8 pmol/L versus 22.7+/-2.1 pmol/L), while serum ghrelin and leptin concentrations were significantly lower in H. pylori-infected (741+/-112 pg/mL and 3.6+/-0.8 ng/mL) than in non-infected children (1323+/-104 pg/mL and 8.6+/-2.4 ng/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

Children with sheep contact show about twice higher H. pylori prevalence and higher serum gastrin but lower ghrelin and leptin levels than those without H. pylori infection. Considering almost 100% positive 13C-urea breath test in sheep, it is reasonable to propose that H. pylori infection in shepherd children may originate from sheep and the infection might, therefore, be considered as zoonosis.