Prevalence of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> IgG and stool antigen detection from dyspeptic patients in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a helical shaped gram negative microaerophilic bacterium, that can inhabit various areas of the stomach. The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among dyspeptic patients attending Endoscopy unit, Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). The prevalence of H pylori; antibodies in plasma and antigen in stool samples of 80 patients examined was studied using ELISA (DIA PRO, Italy) and ICA (BIOTEST China) respectively. Sociodemographic and clinical information was obtained through the assistance of attending  gastroenterology staff. Blood grouping was also performed by slide  agglutination test for all patients. Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies were detected in plasma of 28 (35%) patients of which 27 patients out of the sero-positive cases were antigen positive while Helicobacter pylori antigen was detected in the stool of 31 (38.8%) patients of which 27 patients out of the antigen positive cases were also seropositve. No significant association was found between Helicobacter pylori and age, sex, ABO blood group,  economic status, source of water and consumption of alcohol. Thus,  Helicobacter pylori seropositivity with respect to blood groups was found to be 32.6%, 46.7%, 33.3% and 33.3% in blood groups O, B, A and AB  respectively, while Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test positive results was found to be 33.3%, 33.3%, 46% and 39.5% in blood groups O, B, A and AB respectively. Hence, no statistical association was found between   Helicobacter pylori infection and blood groups of the patients (P>0.05). However, marital status was significantly associated with Helicobacter pylori antibody test (P<0.05). There is need for government to encourage people about the Helicobacter pylori screening test since it is one of the etiologic agent of ulcer.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, Jos, Peptic ulcer, Prevalence.