 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Jason Ravenscroft, MPH, Department of Water Quality and Department of Public Health, Marion County Health Deparment and Indiana University at Indianapolis, 3838 N Rural St, 5th Floor, Indianapolis, IN 46205, 317-221-2277, jravensc@hhcorp.org
Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that commonly infects the human stomach lining. It has been found to be a major risk factor for the development of peptic ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders. Fewer than 10 percent of those infected develop ulcers, but the majority of those who do develop ulcers have the bacterial infection. The mechanism by which the bacteria are transmitted from person to person has not yet been elucidated. The bacteria have been isolated from surface water, ground water, and wastewater. Higher rates of infection in developing countries also indicate that contaminated water is a possible transmission route for infection. This study was conducted through both the Marion County Health Department’s Water Quality Division and the Department of Public Health at Indiana University’s Indianapolis campus. The purpose of the study was to look for an association between gastrointestinal disease and well water with the presence of total coliforms. Surveys were mailed to residents of Marion County Indiana who had well water sampled for biological contamination. Data analysis showed that there was a significant association between coliform-contaminated well water and the self-reported presence of ulcers (odds ratio=3.08, p=0.01). This indicates that contaminated water may have a role in the development of gastrointestinal disease associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.