Helicobacter pylori Reinfection in Brazilian Patients with Peptic Ulcer Disease: A 5-Year Follow-Up

Background:  The Helicobacter pylori reinfection seems to be higher in developing countries, than in developed ones. The aim of the study was to determine the annual recurrence rate of H. pylori , in Brazilian patients with peptic ulcer disease, in a 5-year follow-up.
Methods:  Patients, with peptic ulcer disease diagnosed by upper digestive endoscopy (UDE) and H. pylori infection verified by histological analysis, rapid urease test, polymerase chain reaction, and urea breath test (UBT), were treated for bacterial eradication. The cure of the infection was verified using the same tests, 3 months after. Clinical evaluation and UBT were performed after sixth and ninth month. After 1 year of follow-up, UBT and UDE were repeated. Up to the fifth year, patients were assessed twice a year and an UBT was performed annually. The patients included and all the reinfected were tested for 15 different genes of the H. pylori .
Results:  One hundred and forty-seven patients were followed: 19 for 1 year, eight for 2 years, four for 3 years, five for 4 years, and 98 for 5 years, totaling 557 patients/years. Recurrence did not occur in the first year. In the second year, two patients were reinfected; in the third, four patients; in the fourth, three patients; and in the fifth, one patient. The total of reinfected patients was 10. The annual reinfection rate was 1.8%.
Conclusion:  Brazil presents a low prevalence of H. pylori reinfection, similar to the developed countries.