Helicobacter pylori Infection among Aborigines (the Orang Asli) in the Northeastern Region of Peninsular Malaysia

Whether the exceptionally low prevalence of Helicobacter pylon (HP) infection reported among Malays is also present among aborigines (the Orang Ash) living in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia is unknown We studied asymptomatic Orang Ash from settlements situated 210 km from the city of Kota Bharu The HP infection status was con firmed by a validated serology test Nineteen percent of 480 Orang Ash tested positive for HP infection The prevalence was 40 6% in the birth cohort of the 1940s and declined steadily in later cohorts to under 10% among 12-30 year olds This may be related to the phases of relocation from the jungles into resettlement camps and ultimately into designated villages near rivers The low prevalence pattern alter the 1970s was probably partly a result of improvement in sanitation and hygiene practice in these villages but other unidentified factors may also be operatin