Abstract
Helicobacter pylori is one of the most frequently diagnosed bacterium as the major cause of gastritis and duodenal ulcer among Egyptian patients. In the current study, 100 human serum samples and 80 human stool samples were collected. In addition, 100 bovine serum samples and 143 fecal samples of bovines and pet animals were collected. The detection of antibodies and antigens specific to H. pylori�in serum and feces respectively was carried out by using an immunochromatographic rapid test device method. Out of the 100 human serum samples examined, 42 (42%) resulted positive for the presence of IgG and IgM specific to H. pylori. Statistical analysis of the available data was carried out using Chi-square test which revealed that H. pylori�prevalence is higher in people suffering from GIT disorders (60%) than apparently healthy people (34.3%) and the value was 5.70 (P<0.05). Out of the 80 human stool samples examined, 71 (88.75%) resulted positive for the presence of antigen specific to H. pylori. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that H. pylori�infection is more common in people suffering from GIT disorders (100%) than apparently healthy people (64%) and the value was �23.31 (P<0.0001). Furthermore, out of the 100 bovine serum samples examined, 11 (11%) resulted H. pylori�seropositive. Statistical analysis of data revealed that H. pylori�infection is more common in buffalo (20%) than cattle (2%) and the value was 8.27 (P<0.01). In addition, out of the 143 animal fecal samples examined, 14 (9.8%) of cat feces were found to be positive for the presence
of antigen specific to H. pylori. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that H. pylori�prevalence is higher in cats (28%) than dogs (0%) and bovines (0%) and the value was 28.87 (P<0.0001). So, further work is needed to detect the exact source of infection.

Key words: Keywords: H. pylori; epidemiology; humans; animals; Egypt