Sero-prevalence and associated factors of Helicobacter pylori infection among adult patients with dyspepsia attending the gastroenterology unit in a tertiary hospital in Mwanza, Tanzania

Prevalence and factors associated with Helicobacter Pylori infection among patients with dyspeptic symptoms in Tanzania: Experience from temeke regional referral hospital in Dar Es Salaam

INTRODUCTION

Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach lining and can cause various gastrointestinal disorders, such as dyspepsia, gastritis and peptic ulcers. Dyspepsia is a common symptom among patients seeking medical care, and Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common causes of dyspepsia.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection among patients attending Temeke Regional Referral Hospital (RRH) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

METHODS

A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving dyspeptic patients was conducted between May and June 2023. A Standardized data collection tool was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics and other information such as level of income and source of water. Helicobacter pylori antigen was detected using a stool Helicobacter pylori antigen rapid test according to the manufacturer's instructions. Data analysis was done using STATA 15 computer software.

RESULTS

The study revealed that the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among dyspeptic patients was 43.77%. Also, male sex, occasional hand washing habits and participants who were not sure whether they used treated water for drinking were the factors that were strongly associated with positive Helicobacter pylori infection.

CONCLUSION

Preventive measures and eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection should be considered worthy by public health authorities. More studies have to be emphasized to check the relationship between sex and Helicobacter pylori infection.

Feco-prevalence, endoscopic pattern and associated factors of Helicobacter Pylori infection among symptomatic adult patients in Northern Tanzania

BACKGROUND

Africa has consistently had the highest prevalence (70.1%) of H. pylori, and this has led to significant cases of dyspepsia, gastric cancers, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. However, most studies have used sero-prevalence, which might not give the current state of the infection. Among the tests, the stool antigen test is simple, quick, and effective. The study aimed to determine the feco-prevalence, endoscopic pattern, and associated factors of H. pylori infection among symptomatic adult patients in Northern Tanzania.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2022 to April 2023 among adults attending the gastroenterology clinic at Kilimanjaro Chistian Medical Centre. A systematic random sampling was used to select the participants with indications of undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Questionnaires, stool and blood samples, and endoscopy were used to collect variable data. Numerical and categorical variables were summarized into narrations and tables. Logistic regression was used to assess the factors associated with H. pylori.

RESULTS

The feco-prevalence of H. pylori was 43.4%. Chronic gastritis (51.1%) was the most common endoscopic pattern, whereas duodenal ulcers and gastric ulcers were significantly associated with H. pylori infection. Increasing in age (p <0.001) and blood group (p <0.001) were significantly associated with H. pylori infection in the adjusted analysis.

CONCLUSION

The feco-prevalence of H. pylori is high in this setting. H. pylori stool antigen can be used as the initial workup for symptomatic patients before the initiation of proton pump inhibitors. Additionally, due to other causes of dyspepsia, it is advised that H. pylori stool antigen testing be part of the initial evaluation and esophagogastroduodenoscopy be considered in the absence of other alarm symptoms if symptoms persist despite an appropriate trial of medical therapy.

Endoscopic mucosal phenotypes and endoscopic Sydney system gastritis assessment in relation to Helicobacter pylori infection and upper digestive clinical signs: A 2-year study among patients with gastroduodenal disorders in Cameroon

Background and Aim

Helicobacter pylori represents the major pathogen in the pathophysiology of diverse gastrointestinal conditions. This study sought to determine the endoscopic aspect of the gastric mucosa in relation to H. pylori infection in Cameroon.

Methods

This study was conducted in three reference health facilities in Cameroon from October 2020 to October 2022. The study enrolled 494 consecutive volunteer dyspeptic patients attending to the gastroenterology department of the selected health facilities. A description of the aspect of gastric mucosa of all participants was performed during endoscopy examination, and biopsies were collected for H. pylori detection using rapid urease tests.

Results

Gastritis, ulcerated lesions, duodenitis, esophagitis, normal mucosa aspect, bulbitis, and gastric neoplastic lesions were found in 40.1, 22.3, 10.9, 10.3, 9.7, 6.3, and 0.40% of biopsy samples, respectively. Erythematous/exudative (45.9%) and enterogastric reflux (12.2%) were the main gastritis types recorded. H. pylori was present in 58.1, 46.3, 87.1, 66.7, and 61.8% in gastritis, duodenitis, bulbitis, esophagitis, and ulcerated lesions, respectively. A positive relationship was noticed between the presence of H. pylori and gastritis (1.037 [0.720-1.493]; P = 0.845), bulbitis (4.237 [1.602-11.235]; P = 0.004), esophagitis (1.515 [0.822-2.793]; P = 0.183), ulcerated lesions (1.233 [0.798-1.904]; P = 0.345), erythematous/exudative gastritis (1.354 [0.768-2.389]; P = 0.295), and enterogastric reflux gastritis (1.159 [0.492-2.733]; P = 0.736).

Conclusion

Gastritis and erythematous/exudative gastritis are the most frequent gastrointestinal pathophysiology conditions in dyspeptic patient in our milieu. H. pylori infection is responsible for 94.8% of the gastrointestinal pathophysiology conditions with bulbitis as the condition is significantly associated with this bacterium infection.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in East Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, lymphoma, and gastric cancer in humans. The prevalence and factors associated with H. pylori infection are varied across countries. Thus, a comprehensive review has not been done on prevalence and associated factors in East Africa. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence and identify factors associated with H. pylori infection in East Africa.

METHODS

Articles written in English language were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct. Relevant articles were selected and screened using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Publication bias was assessed qualitatively and qualitatively using funnel plot symmetry and Egger's test, respectively. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 measure. Data were analyzed using Stata software, version 14, and the "metan" command.

RESULTS

A total of 231 articles were retrieved from nineteen countries in East Africa. Of these, 70 articles were eligible for the review. The pooled prevalence of H. pylori in East Africa was 50.98% (95% CI: 45.05-56.90). The prevalence of H. pylori infection ranged from 7.7 to 94.5% in East African countries. The highest pooled prevalence was from Sudan (61.3%, 95% CI: 52.6-69.9), and the lowest prevalence was reported from Uganda (40.7%, 95% CI: 33-48.3). Persons with no formal education (OR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.22-2.83), lack of hand washing habit after toilet (OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.45-3.02), having a history of dyspepsia (OR: 2.25; 95% CI: 1.31-3.18), living in rural areas (OR = 1.80; 95% CI: 0.38-3.23), and having unclean water source (OR = 1.5; 95% CI:0.45-3.45) were all associated with higher risk for H. pylori infection.

CONCLUSION

More than half of the populations of East African countries were positive for H. pylori infection. Rural residence, source of water, and alcohol consumption were significantly associated with H. pylori infection. Therefore, healthcare workers could provide health education on the aforementioned risk factors, and the government and other stakeholders could improve the source of drinking water in East Africa.

A Review of Helicobacter pylori Diagnostics in Africa : From the Bedside to the Laboratory

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is endemic in Africa with a prevalence estimate of 79.1%. In addition, there is a significant community burden of dyspepsia in Africa, similar to other western countries. However, the majority of infected persons do not manifest the disease. In Africa, for instance, peptic ulcer disease is prevalent, whereas gastric cancer has reportedly low incidence. Therefore, it is important that testing is focused, targeting individuals most likely to benefit from treatment. In Africa, there are currently no guidelines for H. pylori testing and treatment. Empirical treatment is common due to variable access to diagnostics and health care. To assess the spectrum of H. pylori testing in Africa, we performed a literature search in PubMed over the past 10 years, 2013 to 2023. Histology was the most widely used modality in 16 out of 18 countries. Capacity for culture was shown in 11 studies, importantly across regions of Africa. H. pylori serology was demonstrated in 8 countries, although it has limited sensitivity in identifying active infection. H. pylori test-and-treat strategy has been shown to be cost-effective. Particularly in a region with high antibiotic resistance, adopting this strategy ensures that only confirmed positive patients are treated. Furthermore, test-of-cure ought to be mandatory to guide future therapies. Health authorities can leverage polymerase chain reaction facilities, left behind by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, to make molecular susceptibility testing available in the near future. A systematic approach to testing incorporating indication for endoscopy and medication use is recommended.

ABO, Lewis blood group systems and secretory status with H.pylori infection in yemeni dyspeptic patients: a cross- sectional study

BACKGROUND

The ABO and Lewis blood group antigens are potential factors in susceptibility to H. pylori infection. This research aimed to examine the prevalence of Helicobater pylori (H.pylori) infection and its association with ABO, Lewis blood group systems, and secretory status in Yemeni symptomatic patients.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 103 patients referred for endoscopy due to dyspepsia were included. H pylori infection was assessed using stool antigen and serum antibody rapid tests. ABO and Lewis blood group systems were examined using hemagglutination assay. Saliva samples were investigated for identification of the secretory phenotype using hemagglutination inhibition test.

RESULTS

The prevalence of H. pylori infection was (80.6%), with a higher rate of infection in females than males. The ABO blood groups were found to be significantly different between males and females (p = 0.047). The O blood group was prevalent among H. pylori patients, especially secretors. There was a significant association between ABO blood groups and H. pylori infection (p = 0.001). The Le (a + b+) phenotype was the most common, followed by Le (a + b-), Le (a-b+), and Le (a-b-). Lewis blood group systems and secretory status of symptomatic patients were not associated with H. pylori infection. The results showed that serum Ab test for H. pylori achieved poor sensitivity (68%), specificity of 55%; positive predictive value (PPV) 86%, negative predictive value (NPV) 29% and accuracy 65.1%.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of H. pylori infection was high in Yemeni patients. This infection was linked to the O and Le (a + b+) secretor phenotype. The H. pylori stool Ag test is the most reliable noninvasive diagnostic method for detecting H. pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori Infection: Antibiotic Resistance and Solutions for Effective Management in Africa

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is ubiquitous worldwide, with prevalence rates of greater than 70% in Africa. Symptomatic patients present with foregut gastrointestinal symptoms which can be readily diagnosed with standardized non-invasive or invasive tests. The biggest challenge, however, is in the management of this condition with rising antimicrobial resistance rates to most of the antibiotics recommended for therapy. This is a problem worldwide, but more specifically in Africa, where the socio-economic and political climate is such that eradication of this organism seems impossible. Furthermore, the recommended antimicrobial susceptibility testing for drug resistance is not widely available in Africa due to the lack of infrastructural as well as human resources. With the widespread unregulated use of antibiotics in some parts of Africa, the figures of antimicrobial resistance are likely to soar. In the face of these significant challenges, this 'perspectives' article aims to address the issue of antimicrobial resistance in Africa, by providing achievable and targeted goals to curb the spread of infection and rising antimicrobial resistance.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori among Patients with Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) Symptoms: A Retrospective Study at Selected Africa Air Rescue (AAR) Clinics in Kampala, Uganda, from 2015 to 2019

Background

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is extremely common worldwide, with almost half of the world's population infected. In Uganda, no study has been done on the trends of the prevalence of H. pylori infection in the affluent population. Therefore, this retrospective cross-sectional study aimed at determining the trend of H. pylori prevalence among affluent patients presenting with gastrointestinal (GIT) symptoms whose stool samples were tested at selected AAR clinics in Kampala area. Patients were tested for Helicobacter pylori infection using the stool antigen test between January 2015 and December 2019.

Results

The overall 5-year H. pylori prevalence was 35.7% (1298/3634). The prevalence was higher in males (36.0% (736/2044)) than in females (35.4% (562/1590)), although not statistically significant (OR = 0.97, p = 0.680, 95% CI: 0.84–1.11). The prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly higher (39.4%) among patients who belonged to the age group of 19–35 years (OR = 1.49, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.22–1.82). The prevalence for H. pylori among the age group of 19–35, the most productive age, could be attributed to work-related factors such as stress. The highest prevalence (43.4%) was recorded in 2018 and the lowest (21.4%) in 2015; however, the trend of H. pylori infection in the 5 years was fluctuating.

Conclusion

H. pylori infestation is a preserve of not only the poor but also the elites. Stressful factors, especially in the age group of 19–35 years, should be appropriately managed.

<p>Seroprevalence of <em>Helicobacter pylori</em> Infection and Associated Factors Among Adult Dyspeptic Patients in Public Health Facilities, Mizan Aman Town, Southwest, Ethiopia: Institutional-Based Cross-Sectional Study</p>

Background

Helicobacter pylori infection is a public health problem associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. It is endemic in developing countries like Ethiopia. This study was aimed to assess seroprevalence of H. pylori infection and associated factors among adults’ dyspeptic patients in public health facilities of Mizan Aman Town, Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods

Cross-sectional study was conducted in public health facilities of Mizan Aman Town, from April 1, 2018, to June 30, 2018. A total of 208 adult dyspeptic patients were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Serum was tested for anti-H. pylori antibody using a commercial test strip. Data were entered using Epi info 6.04 and exported to SPSS 21 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was employed and OR with 95% CI was retrieved. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results

A total of 208 participants were interviewed. The mean age of respondents was 31.70 (SD ±9.123) years. Seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was 89 (42.8%). Presence of domestic animals (AOR = 13.33, 95% CI = (2.203–80.692)), sources of drinking water (AOR = 0.011, 95% CI = (0.001–0.110)), toilet type (AOR = 11.236, 95% CI = (1.921–65.73)), shared beds with siblings (AOR = 7.775, 95% CI = (1.676–36.082)), family size (AOR = 0.015, 95% CI = (0.003, 0.089)), storing and reusing water (AOR =0.014, 95% CI = (0.002–0.103)) and occupational status (AOR = 23.33, 95% CI = (2.034–67.661)) were variables significantly associated with seroprevalence of H. pylori.

Conclusion

Seroprevalence of H. pylori infection is relatively high in Ethiopia. Family size, shared bed, presences of domestic animals, storage and reuse of water, toilet type, sources of drinking water, and occupation were significant factors associated with H. pylori infection. The possible identified modifiable risk factors should be addressed through effective health education.

Association between Chronic Urticaria and Helicobacter pylori Infection among Patients Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Tanzania

BACKGROUND

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common skin disease; however, its etiology is rarely recognized. Infection due to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been shown in some studies to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CU.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to determine the association between CU and H. pylori infection among patients attending the Regional Dermatology Training Center, Northern Tanzania, from October 2018 to April 2019. Methodology. A matched case-control study that included 55 cases and 55 controls matched by age and sex was conducted. Data were collected through direct interviews, and the results of laboratory investigations were recorded in the extraction sheet. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test was used to detect H. pylori antigen in the stool samples. Conditional logistic regression was used to measure the association between CU and H. pylori.

RESULTS

The total number of participants in this study was 110 patients (55 cases and 55 controls), whereby the median age was 31 (IQR 27-45) among controls versus 34 (IQR: 22-46) years among the cases. Both cases and controls had the same number of females and males. There was no significant association between CU and baseline characteristics of the participants. There was an association between CU and H. pylori infection, such that subjects with CU had a higher number of positive H. pylori test (15/55 = 27%) versus controls (6/55 = 10.1%) (p = 0.0225). The adjusted odds of CU among patients who were positive for H. pylori were sixfolds higher (OR = 6.9; CI: 1.3-36.2; p = 0.021) than those of patients who were negative for H. pylori.

CONCLUSION

There was a strong and significant association between CU and H. pylori infection. We recommend investigating for H. pylori in all cases of CU and conducting further trials on H. pylori eradication.

Helicobacter pylori infection among patients presenting with dyspepsia at a primary care setting in Cameroon: seroprevalence, five-year trend and predictors

Background

Almost half the world’s population is infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) with the highest reported prevalence from Africa. This infection is associated with several morbid gastrointestinal conditions. Understanding the trends in seroprevalence and the factors associated with H. pylori seropositivity in dyspeptic persons can provide a guide for public health policies.

Methods

This was a retrospective study, carried out with outpatient records of Wum District Hospital (WDH) from January 2012 to December 2016. We reviewed records of all patients for whom a H. pylori serology test was requested. The Cochran-Armitage trend test and multiple regression models were used to explore seroprevalence trends and predictors of seropositivity respectively.

Results

We included 451 records, 63.6% (n = 287) were female. The mean age of the study population was 40.7 years, and the overall H. pylori seroprevalence was 51.5% (95% CI: 47–56%). The use of recommended eradication regimen appears to be low and declining. On average, H. pylori seroprevalence declined by 6.8% annually (p < 0.0001). Occupational status independently predicted seropositivity, with students having lower odds of being seropositive than employed persons (aOR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.02–0.49, p = 0.016).

Conclusion

Despite decreasing trends, the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is high in dyspeptic patients attending this primary care setting. Improving living standards and establishing national guidelines for eradication can possibly aid the control of this infection.

The magnitude of antibiotic resistance to Helicobacter pylori in Africa and identified mutations which confer resistance to antibiotics: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Worldwide Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) treatment is of great challenge due to increased antibiotic resistance. The burden of H. pylori antibiotic resistance in Africa is high with unclear information regarding the real magnitude. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the magnitude of H.pylori antibiotic resistance in Africa to gain insight of the extent of the problem among H.pylori naïve treatment patients.

METHOD

The search was performed in the academic databases, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science and Africa Wide Information. ProQuest Dissertation and Theses, Scopus, Ethos, Africa Index Medicus (WHO), BioMed Central Proceedings, BASE, British Library, Open grey, Library of Congress and the New York Academy of Grey Literature Report were additionally searched for grey literature. Published articles from Africa on H.pylori antibiotic resistance between 1986 and June 2017 were systematically reviewed to estimate the H. pylori extent of resistance to macrolides, quinolones, amoxicillin, tetracycline and metronidazole.

RESULTS

In 26 articles a total of 2085 isolates were tested for metronidazole, 1530 for amoxicillin, 1277 for tetracycline, 1752 for clarithromycin and 823 for quinolones.The overall pooled proportion of H.pylori resistance to quinolones, clarithromycin, tetracycline, metronidazole and amoxicillin were: (17.4%, 95%CI 12.8 - 21.9), (29.2%, 95%CI:26.7-31.8), (48.7%, 95%CI: 44.5-52.9), (75.8%, 95% CI: 74.1-.77.4) and (72.6%, 95% CI: 68.6-76.6), respectively. The commonest mutation detected were A2143G (49/97) for clarithromycin, RdxA (41/56) for metronidazole and D87I (16/40) for quinolones.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of metronidazole, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin resistance is high in developing world including Africa. This could impair the first line triple therapy of the H.pylori infection. There is a need of conducting surveillance of H.pylori susceptibility pattern in Africa for dual and triple resistance which can be used for the empirical treatment.

Infections interplay with non-communicable diseases

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