Diagnostic performance of fecal Helicobacter pylori antigen test in Uganda.

We evaluated the diagnostic performance of a qualitative stool antigen test (SAT) in individuals with dyspepsia in rural Uganda using the polymerase chain reaction-based 16S ribosomal RNA assay (16S rRNA) for nucleotide sequences for two common H. pylori-associated genes as the reference standard. We enrolled 150 adults with dyspepsia with no self-reported use of antibiotic and/or antiacid medication medications within a fortnight. We performed blinded SAT on fecal specimens and 16S rRNA tests on gastric specimens. Using nonlinear mixed models, SAT had a sensitivity of 85⋅1% (95%CI 76⋅54%, 93⋅6%), and specificity of 97⋅6% (95%CI 94⋅3, 100). Twelve individuals with dyspepsia need to be tested to correctly diagnose 10 with H. pylori infection using SAT. The SAT is a robust diagnostic test to improve the diagnosis of H. pylori infection in people with dyspepsia in resource-limited settings.

Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 in humans and swine, Cuba.

This study was conduced to determinate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated to hepatitis E virus (HEV) exposition, in individuals who work in pig farms located at western of Artemise Province. The presence of HEV in human and swine samples and the phylogenetic analysis were evaluated. One hundred six workers (with an age range of 18-70years) were enrolled in this study. Two groups were defined, 69 employees with swine related occupations and 37 workers without contact with pigs. None had abroad travel history. Serum samples were tested for immunoglobulins (Ig) M, G and A against HEV. Individual fecal samples were obtained from 57 workers and 53 swine. All feces were tested for HEV RNA using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The amplification products were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed by using MEGA5 software. A total of 38 (35.8%) (95% CI: 26.2-45.4) sera was positive for antibodies against HEV (anti-HEV). These were higher in persons who work in contact with swine compare as individuals with occupations without pig contact (40.5%, 28/69, 95% CI: 28.2-52.8, versus 27.0%, 10/37, 95% CI: 11.3-42.6, respectively). The prevalence of anti-HEV was higher in workers with an age range of 60-70years old and time-work 10-13years. HEV RNA was detected in 8 (14.0%) of 57 human fecal samples and 10 (18.8%) of 53 swine fecal samples. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on 7 amplification products obtained from 3 human and 4 swine fecal samples. Human and swine HEV sequences were closely related (94-99% nucleotide homology) and belonged to HEV genotype 3, subtype 3a.