Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in sexual partners of H. pylori-infected subjects: Role of gastroesophageal reflux:

BackgroundHelicobacter pylori is transmitted through faecal-oral or oral-oral routes. Whether H. pylori infection is more prevalent in sexual partners of H. pylori-infected subjects is unclear.ObjectiveWe evaluated 1) the prevalence of H. pylori infection in sexual partners of H. pylori-infected subjects; and 2) whether presence of gastroesophageal reflux in H. pylori-infected subjects was associated with transmission of infection to their sexual partners.MethodsWe evaluated H. pylori infection by 13C Urea Breath Test in sexual partners of 161 consecutive patients with H. pylori-related dyspepsia. The case-control group consisted of 161 dyspeptic subjects undergoing the 13C Urea Breath Test. The prevalence of reflux symptoms was noted through the Leeds scale. The role of gastroesophageal reflux in transmission of H. pylori infection was evaluated by binary logistic regression. A two-tailed p value of 0.05 or less was considered significant.ResultsPrevalence of H. pylori infection in sexual partners of H. ...