Rischio di reinfezione da H.pylori: una review……….

 Review article: “True” re-infection of Helicobacter pylori after successful eradication: worldwide annual rates, risk factors and clinical implications.Zhang YY, Xia HH, Zhuan ZH, Zhong J. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2008 Oct 20. [Epub ahead of print]  Background: The incidence of “true” re-infection after successful eradication has not been clarified. Aim: To determine the worldwide rates, risk factors and clinical implications of “true” re-infection of H. pylori. “True” re-infection of H. pylori is defined as the situation where tests for H. pylori infection, which were negative for 12 months after eradication, become positive again at a later stage. Results: Thirty six studies were identified through literature search to be able to produce annual rates of “true” re-infection, and data from 33 original articles were considered as reliable and adequate in the further review. Generally, the reported rates varied from 0% to 23.4% in adults and 1.9% to 9.6% in children. Most studies from developed countries reported rates of less than 1%, whereas relatively higher rates were reported in most of the developing countries. Small sample sizes included in the studies appeared to be associated with increased re-infection rates. Interfamilial transmission is the major cause of re-infection although iatrogenical re-infection through contaminated endoscopic equipment has been reported. Conclusion: H. pylori re-infection is not a concern in a clinical setting, especially in the developed world; however, cautions must be taken in countries with a high re-infection incidence.

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