Increased incidence of immunoglobulin G antibodies against Helicobacter pylori among trainee nurses

Background and objective: It is unclear whether persons in the nursing profession are at special risk of infection with Helicobacter pylori. if faecal-oral, oral-oral or gastro-oral transmission occurs, infections with H. pylori should be observed after the start of nursing. We studied the incidence of serologically proved infections in a collective of trainee nurses. Methods: The presence of immunoglobulin G antibodies against Helicobacter pylori in nurses (128 women, 37 men, mean age at the beginning of training: 22.2 +/- 5.6 years) was tested at the beginning and end of training. Results: At the beginning of training a prevalence of 12.5% was found among German nurses (n=152) and of 46.2% among foreign nurses (n=13). In the follow up test after a mean of 30 months, eight German nurses had new positive results indicating recent infection. The annual incidence was calculated to be 2.3% and exceeded the expected value for adults not occupationally exposed to infectious material. Results: In view of the calculated increased incidence, nursing must be considered to be a risk factor for infection with Helicobacter pylori.