SUMMARYWe evaluated the association between typhoid fever andHelicobacter pyloriinfection, as the latter microorganism may influence gastric acid secretion and consequently increase susceptibility toSalmonella typhiinfection. Anti-H. pyloriIgG and IgA antibody titres (ELISA) and gastrin concentration (RIA) were determined in the plasma of 87 blood culture-confirmed typhoid fever cases (collected after clinical recovery) and 232 random healthy controls without a history of typhoid fever, in the Jatinegara district, Jakarta. Patients with typhoid fever more often than controls were seropositive forH. pyloriIgG (67%vs. 50%,P<0·008), when antibody titres were dichotomized around median titres observed in controls.H. pyloriIgA seropositivity was not associated with typhoid fever. Plasma gastrin concentrations indicative of hypochlorhydria (i.e. gastrin ⩾25 or ⩾100 ng/l) were not significantly elevated in typhoid fever cases compared to controls (P=0·54 andP=0·27 respectively). In a multivariate analysis, typhoid fever was independently associated with young age (<33 years, median age of the controls) [odds ratio (OR) 7·93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3·90–16·10], andH. pyloriIgG seropositivity (OR 1·93, 95% CI 1·10–3·40). Typhoid fever was independently associated withH. pyloriIgG seropositivity, but not with elevated gastrin concentration. Therefore, the association suggests a common risk of environmental exposure to both bacteria, e.g. poor hygiene, rather than a causal relationship via reduced gastric acid production.