Researchers re-test Aklavik, N.W.T., residents for H. pylori

Researchers are re-testing residents in Aklavik, N.W.T.,for a common stomach bacterium as a follow-up to a 2008 study.

When doctors investigating stomach cancer in the community tested just over half of the population of 600 for H. pylori in 2008, 58 per cent tested positive.

While most people don't show symptoms from infection, the bacteria are known to cause stomach ulcers and have been linked to stomach cancer.

The people who tested positive were given a course of antibiotics to treat the infection.

McMaster University PhD student Sally Carraher is now re-testing people to see if anyone was re-infected.

She began her work in Aklavik in September and will return later this month.

"We're only offering testing to people right now who previously participated in the research and the reason for that is because it's a re-infection study and I have to know who had it and who didn't to begin," she said.

Carraher hopes to re-test 200 people from the previous study by the end of February and have results by the end of March.

Those results will help researchers determine which course of antibiotics is most effective against the bacteria.

Former Aklavik mayor Billy Archie said people in the community have been concerned that, since the source of the bacteria has not been determined, they may go through treatment only to be re-infected.

"We need to pinpoint the source," said Archie. "Theyre saying its waterborne but theres lots to learn about it yet."