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ObjectiveTo investigate the association betweenHelicobacter pyloriinfection and anaemia.DesignSix cross-sectional studies.H. pyloriinfection was assessed by the [13C]urea breath test using MS or IR analysis. Hb was measured for all countries. Ferritin and transferrin receptors were measured for Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, and Venezuela.SettingHealth services in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico or public schools in Bolivia, Cuba and Venezuela.SubjectsIn Argentina, 307 children aged 4–17 years referred to a gastroenterology unit; in Bolivia, 424 randomly selected schoolchildren aged 5–8 years; in Brazil, 1007 adults (157 men, 850 women) aged 18–45 years attending thirty-one primary health-care units; in Cuba, 996 randomly selected schoolchildren aged 6–14 years; in Mexico, seventy-one pregnant women in their first trimester attending public health clinics; in Venezuela, 418 children aged 4–13 years attending public schools.ResultsThe lowest prevalence ofH. pylorifound was among children in Argentina (25·1 %) and the highest in Bolivia (74·0 %). In Bolivia, Cuba and Venezuela children showed similar prevalence ofH. pyloriinfection as in Brazilian and Mexican adults (range 47·5 % to 81·8 %). Overall anaemia prevalence was 11·3 % in Argentina, 15·4 % in Bolivia, 20·6 % in Brazil, 10·5 % in Cuba and 8·9 % in Venezuela. Adjusted analyses allowing for confounding variables showed no association betweenH. pyloricolonization and anaemia in any study. Hb, ferritin and transferrin receptor levels were also not associated withH. pyloriinfection in any country.ConclusionsThe present study showed no evidence to support the hypothesis thatH. pyloricontributes to anaemia in children, adolescents, adults or pregnant women in six Latin American countries.

Helicobacter pylori infection (Hp) is widely spread around the world, and it is considered one of the main causes of chronic gastritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers, and gastric cancer. Recent research has shown that it can be associated with nutritional disorders, mainly with iron and other micronutrient deficiencies. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of Hp infection, and infection pattern according to age, sex, nutritional status, and socioeconomic conditions in children who attended the Unidad Educativa "Valentin Espinal" in the city of Valencia. 170 children, between 3 and 14 years of age were studied to assess Hpylori infection (13C-urea breath test), age, nutritional status according to BMI and Height for age, hemoglobin (cianometahemoglobin), serum ferritin (ELISA), socioeconomic status (Graffar-Méndez-Castellano), housing conditions, number of families and of people cohabitating in the same household, and quality of services. 78.8% of the children were infected with Hp, witch was significantly correlated with age but not gender. 25.9% of the sample had undernutrition, and 46.5% were stunted. 98.1% of the families lived in poverty, and 98% of the households showed sanitary deficiencies. A mean of 6.0 +/- 2.4 persons lived in each household (range: 2-15), and an average of 3.2 person shared bedrooms. The odds of being infected were higher in those children who were stunted. Also, socioeconomic status, mother's education level, and poor hosing conditions were significantly associated to being infected. Hpylori is highly prevalent among socially and economically deprived children, and age, overcrowding, and a low education level of the mother increases the risk of being infected.

To determine local control and overall survival rates of 14 patients treated for a grade III or IV glioma relapsing in a previously irradiated area and re-irradiated by stereotactic radiosurgery.From January 1997 to October 2001, 14 patients (median age 52 Years, age range 49-58 Years, Karnofski performance score 80 to 100) received radiosurgery for a relapse of grade III (3 patients) and or grade IV (10 patients) malignant gliomas. Before relapse, all patients had undergone surgery and had been given with a classical radiation protocol. Median maximum diameter and Volume of the tumors were 38.5mm (24-86mm) and 7cm3 (2-35cm3), respectively.Median maximal dose at the isocenter and median minimal dose at the periphery of the lesion were 21Gy (16-38Gy) and 13Gy (9-17Gy), respectively. Mean follow-up was 8.5 Months (1-29). Median overall survival was 11.6 Months; 6-Month, 1- and 2-Year overall survival rates were 85p.100, 36p.100 and 12p.100, respectively. At univariate analysis, only histological grade was a significant prognostic factor of overall survival (p=0.03). Median disease-free survival was 8.2 Months while 6-Month and 1-Year disease-free survival rates were 69p.100 and 14p.100, respectively. According to univariate analysis, histological grade (p=0.033) and minimal dose delivered at the margin of the target Volume (p=0.02) were prognostic factors for disease-free survival. Two patients developed a symptomatic radionecrosis.Radiosurgery of relapsed primitive high-grade brain tumors is efficient and overall survival rates were encouraging.