Objectives:Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is highly prevalent in the general population, but its prevalence among hospital staff remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection among healthcare workers, particularly endoscopy unit personnel, who may face occupational exposure risks. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we compared the prevalence of H. pylori among endoscopy unit staff (Group A) and matched controls from hemodialysis and family medicine clinics (Group B) at a tertiary care hospital. Infection status was assessed using the Helikit？ MS01 urea breath test (UBT). The study was conducted from March 15, 2021, to February 15, 2022. Participants with dyspepsia or prior H. pylori diagnosis were excluded. Results: Among 61 participants (mean age 37.1 years; 43 (70.5%) female), the overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 20 (32.8%). Group A (endoscopy staff; 18 [29.5% of cohort]) had an infection prevalence of 6 (33.3%), while Group B (controls; 43 [70.5% of cohort]) had a prevalence of 14 (32.6%). The unadjusted odds ratio for infection in endoscopy staff (Group A) versus controls (Group B) was 1.04 (95% CI: 0.31 - 3.28; p = 0.95). Multivariable adjustment yielded similar non-significant results (aOR = 0.98; p = 0.98). Conclusion: The prevalence of H. pylori infection among hospital staff was 20/61 (32.8%), with no significant increase observed in endoscopy personnel (6/18 [33.3%] vs. 14/43 [32.6%]). Occupational exposure in endoscopy units does not appear to increase infection risk.
References
[1]
Hooi, J.K.Y., Lai, W.Y., Ng, W.K., Suen, M.M.Y., Underwood, F.E., Tanyingoh, D., et al. (2017) Global Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Gastroenterology, 153, 420-429. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2017.04.022
[2]
Alvi, A., Rizwan, M. and Fatima, N. (2014) Epidemiology and Pattern of Antibiotic Resistance in Helicobacter pylori: Scenario from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology, 20, 212-218. https://doi.org/10.4103/1319-3767.136935
[3]
Cover, T.L. and Blaser, M.J. (2009) Helicobacter pylori in Health and Disease. Gastroenterology, 136, 1863-1873. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2009.01.073
[4]
Brown, L.M. (2000) Helicobacter pylori: Epidemiology and Routes of Transmission. Epidemiologic Reviews, 22, 283-297. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.epirev.a018040
[5]
Kheyre, H., Morais, S., Ferro, A., Costa, A.R., Norton, P., Lunet, N., et al. (2018) The Occupational Risk of Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Systematic Review. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 91, 657-674. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-018-1315-6
[6]
Malfertheiner, P., Megraud, F., Rokkas, T., Gisbert, J.P., Liou, J., Schulz, C., et al. (2022) Management of Helicobacter pylori Infection: The Maastricht VI/Florence Consensus Report. Gut, 71, 1724-1762. https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327745
[7]
Mock, T., Yatscoff, R., Foster, R., Hyun, J., Chung, I., Shim, C., et al. (1999) Clinical Validation of the Helikit™: A 13C Urea Breath Test Used for the Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection. Clinical Biochemistry, 32, 59-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0009-9120(98)00082-4
[8]
de Martel, C. and Parsonnet, J. (2006) Helicobacter pylori Infection and Gender: A Meta-Analysis of Population-Based Prevalence Surveys. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 51, 2292-2301. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9210-5
[9]
Cronmiller, J.R., Nelson, D.K., Jackson, D.K. and Kim, C.H. (1999) Efficacy of Conventional Endoscopic Disinfection and Sterilization Methods against Helicobacter pylori Contamination. Helicobacter, 4, 198-203. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-5378.1999.99275.x
[10]
Nürnberg, M., Schulz, H.J., Rüden, H. and Vogt, K. (2003) Do Conventional Cleaning and Disinfection Techniques Avoid the Risk of Endoscopic Helicobacter pylori Transmission? Endoscopy, 35, 295-299. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2003-38149
[11]
Peters, C., Schablon, A., Harling, M., et al. (2011) The Occupational Risk of Helicobacter pylori Infection among Gastroenterologists and Their Assistants. BMC Infectious Diseases, 11, Article No. 154. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-11-154
[12]
Nishikawa, J., Kawai, H., Takahashi, A., Seki, T., Yoshikawa, N., Akita, Y., et al. (1998) Seroprevalence of Immunoglobulin G Antibodies against Helicobacter pylori among Endoscopy Personnel in Japan. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 48, 237-243. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0016-5107(98)70184-1
[13]
Calderwood, A.H., Day, L.W., Muthusamy, V.R., Collins, J., Hambrick, R.D., Brock, A.S., et al. (2018) ASGE Guideline for Infection Control during GI Endoscopy. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 87, 1167-1179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gie.2017.12.009
