Detection of infection in children using rapid urease and histologic methods of diagnosis.

Objective: The study aimed to detect the presence of infection in children using two investigative methods: the rapid urease test and histological methods. It also examined the relationship between socioeconomic status and Helicobacter pylori infection.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the paediatric theatre at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana.

Participants: Children who were scheduled for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were recruited into the study.

Main Outcome Measures: The presence of Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsies was measured using a rapid urease test and histology.

Results: Seventy-three children aged 2 years to 16 years were seen during the period. Both tests were positive at the same time in 36 (49.3%) out of the 73 children (p<0.0001). The positivity rates for the rapid urease test and histology were 57.5% and 53.4 %, respectively. Significant predictors of the histology presence of H. pylori were a large household size of at least 6 members (AOR: 4.03; p<0.013) and the presence of pets at home (AOR: 3.23; p<0.044).

Conclusions: Substantial agreement was found between the rapid urease test and histology examination of gastric biopsies for the presence of . Children from large households and those with pets at home appear to have increased odds of having infection of the gastric mucosa.

Funding: None declared.