Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori-specific IgA among blood donors of Rafsanjan city

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is considered to play an etiologic role in several gastroduodenal diseases. Blood donors are often used as proxies for the general population in studies of H. pylori epidemiology. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-H. Pylori IgA antibodies in blood donors from Rafsanjan city. Methods and Materials: Serum samples of 180 healthy individuals (93 males; 87 females) aged 1 to 60 (including 138 bood donors of Rafsanjan Blood Transfusion Center and 42 healthy children) were tested for the presence of IgA antibodies against H. pylori. Anti-H. Pylori immunoglobulin was detected by used of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The seropositivity rates determined according to age and gender. Results: The overall seroprevalence of IgA against H. pylori was 70% (95% CI: 62.74%- 76.6%). The seroprevalece rate was significantly higher in females (78.2%) as compared to males (62.4%) (P