Pylori Positivity Research Articles

Association between infection with Helicobacter pylori and metabolic syndrome among diabetic patients attending Jimma medical center in Jimma city, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundPrevious studies have implicated the role of H. pylori infection in developing the metabolic syndrome. However, findings remain contradictory, and data from developing countries are scarce.MethodsWe employed a cross-sectional study design to assess the relationship between H. pylori infection and metabolic syndrome among diabetic patients attending Jimma Hospital, Ethiopia. An interviewer-led questionnaire administered to study participants provided information on sociodemographic factors, and medical records were used to obtain medical history information. Metabolic parameters, including plasma glucose, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), body-mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were collected. H. pylori infection status was assessed using IgG Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA). The effect of H. pylori infection on metabolic syndrome and metabolic parameters was determined using multivariate linear and logistic regressions.ResultsWe found H. pylori infection status was positively but not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome (AOR = 1.507, 95% CI: 0.570–3.981, p = 0.408). When the analysis was restricted to individual metabolic parameters, H. pylori positivity was significantly associated with lower HDL-c and higher SB, respectively.ConclusionsOur result confirms that individual metabolic parameters, not an overall metabolic syndrome, are significantly associated with H. pylori infection. Future studies should examine the relationship between H. pylori and metabolic syndrome, considering gastrointestinal conditions such as GERD, GU, and DU.

Trend of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Childhood: A Single-Center Experience.

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is the most common bacterial infection in humans. Helicobacter pylori infection, which frequently increases with age, is seen in 30%-56.6% of children in Turkey, although it varies by region. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of HP in children and adolescents who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and gastric biopsy in our region and to compare the changes over the years. Cases who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for various indications between 2007 and 2022 in our pediatric gastroenterology unit were included in the study. The clinical and endoscopic characteristics of 1737 cases whose histopathologic specimens were obtained, have been retrospectively analyzed from their records. The diagnosis of HP infection was based on the presence of HP on histopathologic examination of gastric biopsy specimens. Of 1737 cases, 504 (29%) were HP positive. The HP positive case rates were 14.5%, 26.9%, and 33.6% in the 0-6, 7-12, and 13-18 age groups, respectively. H. pylori positivity was detected in 65.7% of patients with duodenal ulcers, and the relationship between duodenal ulcers and HP positivity was significant (P < .001). The average HP positivity rates were 44%, 28.6%, and 24.2% in 2007-2012 (group 1), 2013-2017 (group 2), and 2018-2022 (group 3). H. pylori positivity rates significantly decreased in years (P = .001/P = .056/P < .001). We found that the frequency of HP infection in children decreased in our region over the years. Helicobacter pylori positivity was higher in older than younger children. A decrease in HP frequency prevalence may be possible in parallel with awareness and socioeconomic development.

Association of Helicobacter pylori infection with complications of diabetes: a single-center retrospective study

BackgroundPrevious studies examined the association of Helicobacter pylori infection (H. pylori) with complications of diabetes, but the results have been inconsistent. The aim of this study of patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D) was to determine the association of H. pylori infection with the major complications of diabetes.MethodsThis single-center retrospective study examined patients with T2D who received H. pylori testing between January 2016 and December 2021. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association of H. pylori infection with four major complications of diabetes.ResultsWe examined 960 patients with T2D, and 481 of them (50.1%) were positive for H. pylori. H. pylori infection was significantly associated with diabetic nephropathy (odds ratio [OR] = 1.462; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.006,2.126; P = 0.046). In addition, the co-occurrence of H. pylori positivity with hypertension (OR = 4.451; 95% CI: 2.351,8.427; P < 0.001), with glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of at least 8% (OR = 2.925; 95% CI: 1.544,5.541; P = 0.001), and with diabetes duration of at least 9 years (OR = 3.305; 95% CI:1.823,5.993; P < 0.001) further increased the risk of diabetic nephropathy. There was no evidence of an association of H. pylori infection with retinopathy, neuropathy, or peripheral vascular disease.ConclusionsOur study of T2D patients indicated that those with H. pylori infections had an increased risk of nephropathy, and this risk was greater in patients who also had hypertension, an HbA1c level of 8% or more, and diabetes duration of 9 years or more.

Comparison of Four Tests for the Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Due to lower operational costs, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) may prioritize Helicobacter pylori stool antigen testing (HpStAg) for the non-invasive diagnosis of H. pylori infection over 13C-urea breath tests (13C-UBTs). The aim of our study was to compare the accuracy of the diagnostic tests for H. pylori. We performed histology, rapid urease test (RUT), 13C-UBT and HpStAg on consecutive patients referred for gastroscopy. Monoclonal stool antigen test was performed using the LIAISON Meridian chemiluminescent immunoassay. Histology was examined with hematoxylin and eosin, and additional stains were performed at the pathologist's discretion. For the assessment of 13C-UBT, we compared concordant histology and RUT. HpStAg was compared to the concordant results of two of the three remaining tests. 103 patients were included (36 males (35.0%), age 50.1 ± 18.4 years). The indication for gastroscopy was dyspepsia in 63 (61.2%). Agreement between RUT and histology was 95.9%. For 13C-UBT and HpStAg, respectively, H. pylori positivity was 30% (30/100) and 27.16% (22/81); sensitivity was 97% and 70%; specificity was 100% and 94.4%; accuracy was 98% and 86%; positive predictive value (PPV) was 100% and 86.4%; negative predictive value (NPV) was 93% and 86%. No demographic, clinical, or endoscopic predictors of HpStAg accuracy were identified using logistic regression. 13C-UBT performs better than HpStAg at our institution. When interpreting results, clinicians should consider test limitations.

Helicobacter Pylori: Beyond The Gut - Insights Into Its Association With Dermatological Conditions

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative bacterium associated with gastrointestinal diseases and extra-gastrointestinal manifestations, including dermatological conditions. Understanding the precise mechanisms and clinical implications of the H. pylori skin disorder association is essential. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a private dermatology center in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, from January 2021 to August 2023. Patients coming with various dermatological conditions and with suspected H. pylori infection underwent clinical examination, laboratory tests, and skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of disease. The statistical analysis assessed associations between demographics, dermatological conditions, and H. pylori antibody test results. Laboratory Investigation: H. pylori antibody levels were measured using serology by doing H.pylori IgG antibody level testing and cut-off values of &gt;0.90 were considered positive. Statistical Analysis: Data entry and analysis involved Microsoft Excel 360, calculating proportions, and percentages, and drawing appropriate inferences. Results: Of 1131 enrolled patients (male-female ratio 1:1.43), 22% tested positive for H. pylori, with higher positivity rates in patients aged &gt;60 years and 40-60 years. Analysis revealed varying proportions of H. pylori positivity across dermatological conditions, with alopecia areata and chronic urticaria showing the highest rates. Conclusions: While studies suggest H. pylori’s involvement in dermatological diseases, further research is needed to understand this relationship fully. Systematic investigations into the impact of eradication therapy are essential to inform clinical management strategies and guide future research directions.

Biopsy-Proven Gastric Pathological Findings in Mechanically Ventilated Intensive Care Unit Patients.

Objectives Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is known to affect a large proportion of the world population. It plays a role in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer (PU) and increases the likelihood of bleeding. In critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs), the risk of bleeding may be much higher due to many concomitant factors. The study aimed to determine the activation of H. pylori in mechanically ventilated (MV) intensive care patients and compare this with the general population. Methods This study was performed retrospectively by screening patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and histopathological sampling in our hospital between January and June 2023. The study included 79 patients aged between 18 and 85 years. The patients were categorized into two groups: 35 patients in the ICU with mechanical ventilation (MV) support (EMV) and 44 patients who presented to the gastroenterology department due to dyspeptic symptoms and underwent endoscopy (ED). Age; sex characteristics; laboratory parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Htc), mean cellular volume (MCV), white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, platelet, glucose, urea, creatinine, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, ferritin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HIV; and biopsy results (H. pylori positivity, intestinal metaplasia, and atrophy) were recorded. Results A total of 79 patients who underwent gastric biopsy were assessed. There were 35 patients in the EMV group and 44 patients in the ED group. There was no difference in gender and age distribution between the groups. Hb and Htc were significantly lower in EMV compared to ED (p=0.001). Hb was 9.4±1.7 g/dL in EMV and 10.8±2.1 g/dL in ED. Htc was 29.6±5.1 in EMV and 33.5±5.7 in ED. MCV, WBC, glucose, urea, AST, ALT, CRP, and ferritin values were statistically significantly higher in EMV (p<0.05). Albumin and creatinine levels were statistically significantly lower in EMV (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of neutrophils, platelets, and TSH. In the EMV group, H. pylori activity was negative in 31 (88.6%) patients and positive in four (11.4%) patients. In the ED group, H. pylori activity was negative in 30 (68.2%) patients and positive in 14 (31.8%) patients. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of H. pylori positivity (p=0.032). Conclusions The prevalence of H. pylori in MV patients in the ICU is low compared to the average population. The incidence of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia is the same. The present study supports that ICU cases do not have a higher risk of gastric premalignant lesions compared to the average population.

Impact of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Treatment on Colorectal Cancer in a Large, Nationwide Cohort.

Helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of infection-associated cancer worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the impact of H. pylori infection and treatment on colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality. US Veterans who completed H. pylori testing between 1999 and 2018. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis among adults within the Veterans Health Administration who completed testing for H. pylori. The primary exposures were (1) H. pylori test result (positive/negative) and (2) H. pylori treatment (untreated/treated) among H. pylori-positive individuals. The primary outcomes were CRC incidence and mortality. Follow-up started at the first H. pylori testing and continued until the earliest of incident or fatal CRC, non-CRC death, or December 31, 2019. Among 812,736 individuals tested for H. pylori, 205,178 (25.2%) tested positive. Being H. pylori-positive versus H. pylori-negative was associated with higher CRC incidence and mortality. H. pylori treatment versus no treatment was associated with lower CRC incidence and mortality (absolute risk reduction 0.23%-0.35%) through 15-year follow-up. Being H. pylori-positive versus H. pylori-negative was associated with an 18% (adjusted hazard ratio [adjusted HR], 1.18 [95% CI, 1.12 to 1.24]) and 12% (adjusted HR, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.03 to 1.21]) higher incident and fatal CRC risk, respectively. Individuals with untreated versus treated H. pylori infection had 23% (adjusted HR, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.13 to 1.34]) and 40% (adjusted HR, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.24 to 1.58]) higher incident and fatal CRC risk, respectively. The results were more pronounced in the analysis restricted to individuals with nonserologic testing. H. pylori positivity may be associated with small but statistically significant higher CRC incidence and mortality; untreated individuals, especially those with confirmed active infection, appear to be most at risk.

Helicobacter pylori infection and response of gastric cancer to immunotherapy.

277 Background: Helicobacter pylori is a known risk factor for gastric cancer, possibly via the PD-1/L1 pathway. Some suggest that H. pylori infection may counteract the action of immune checkpoint inhibitors in few studies with limited sample size. This study explores the effects of H. pylori infection status on survival outcomes in patients with gastric cancer. Methods: This single-center, retrospective chart review included patients with gastric adenocarcinoma between June 1985 and August 2022. Patients with different histological subtypes were excluded. Primary variables of interest included H. pylori infection status and treatment with ICIs. Other clinical information included demographics, cancer histology, the presence of other cancers, and vital status. Results: 2,930 patients were included in the initial analysis. 206 (7.0%) received ICIs, 196 (6.7%) had prior H. pylori infection, and 1,037 (35.4%) had a mucinous subtype. Mucinous cancer subtypes were associated with improved survival (p&lt;0.05) at 3 and 5 years compared to non-mucinous adenocarcinomas. Mucinous cancers demonstrated better survival outcomes than non-mucinous at 10 years, but only among H. pylori-positive patients (p=0.013). H. pylori positivity was associated with worse survival at 3 years (OR: 2.0, p=0.041) among patients taking ICIs but not for patients not receiving ICIs (OR: 0.8; p=0.325). Conclusions: H. pylori infection may negatively impact the therapeutic effect of ICIs. These findings suggest H. pylori infection may be an obstacle to successful immunotherapy and may interact with cancer subtypes to differentially impact survival. Future studies are needed to validate the potential prognostic value of H. pylori positivity in gastric cancer.

The Effect of 131I Therapy on the Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Patients with Thyroid Disorders: A Preliminary Study.

The leading cause of gastritis and its complications is Helicobacter pylori Radioactive iodine (131I) accumulates significantly in the stomach after consumption. On this basis, we decided to determine whether different doses of 131I in the stomach would be effective in eradicating the infection. Methods: All patients with hyperthyroidism or differentiated thyroid carcinoma who were referred for 131I treatment were invited to the study. A stool antigen test was conducted before consumption of 131I (0.15-5.5 GBq) and was repeated 2 mo later to detect H. pylori infection. Results: H. pylori positivity was found in 51.8% (14/27) of the patients. At 2 mo after treatment, 13 of the 14 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma or hyperthyroidism who had been identified as positive for H. pylori stool antigen before 131I administration were still positive, representing a nonsignificant eradication rate of 7.1%. Conclusion: Administration of 131I to patients with H. pylori did not show potential to eliminate the infection.

Role of Extended Family for Intrafamilial Transmission of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Bulgarian Children

Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections worldwide. The infection is usually acquired during the first years of childhood and transmission from infected mother is considered an important epidemiological factor. The aim of this study was to assess the H. pylori positivity in Bulgarian symptomatic children in association with the presence or absence of family anamnesis of gastroduodenal diseases among their parents, siblings and grandparents. H. pylori infection was evaluated in 362 children in two groups: 181 children with family anamnesis of gastroduodenal diseases and 181 children without family anamnesis. All patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and gastric biopsy samples for microbiological examination for H. pylori were taken. H. pylori infection among children with family history of gastroduodenal diseases was significantly more frequent (69.1%) compared with the group of patients without a family anamnesis (21.0%, p &lt;0.0001). In addition to the significance of the infected parents (69.4%) and siblings (52.0%), infected grandparents were also associated with high prevalence of the infection (77.8%, 21/27 cases) in the children. In conclusion, H. pylori infection among children with family history of gastroduodenal disease was 3.3-fold higher than that in the group without family anamnesis. The significance of the grandparents in the extended family households should be considered.

Assessing the Correlation between Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Increased Incidence of Colorectal Cancer, Gastric Atrophy, and Intestinal Metaplasia

Aim: Our retrospective study was designed to explore the potential link between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and the occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC), gastric atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia.&#x0D; Material and Methods: We assembled two groups of 150 patients each, categorized based on their endoscopic biopsy results for H. pylori - one group testing positive (study group), the other negative (control group). All subjects underwent upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopies, and we assessed their endoscopic gastric biopsy results as well as any indications of colorectal malignancies.&#x0D; Results: Our investigation established a noteworthy association between the presence of H. pylori infection and the incidences of CRC, gastric atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia (p

The Impact of Helicobacter pylori on Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Postoperative Complications: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

We aimed to assess the impact of Helicobacter pylori infection on postoperative outcomes following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). We searched Cochrane, Scopus, and PubMed databases, reviewed 1026 studies, and thoroughly analyzed 42 of them. Our final analysis included 13 studies comprising 6199 patients. We found that H. pylori infection was correlated with higher rates of risk of overall postoperative complications (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.13, 2.16; P= 0.007) and staple line leak (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.05, 3.41; P= 0.03). There were no significant differences in hospital length of stay or postoperative bleeding rates. Despite observed correlations between H. pylori positivity in gastric specimen and postoperative complications in LSG, definitive causation remains elusive, emphasizing the need for prospective randomized studies evaluating the effect of preoperative H. pylori screening and eradication.

Helicobacter pylori infection-A risk factor for lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase over-activity: A cross-sectional study among patients with dyspepsia in Cameroon.

There is an intimate relationship between oxidative stress and inflammation. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection leads to gastritis in almost all the hosts. So, we hypothesize that gastritis in H. pylori infection may be described as the accumulation of continuous oxidative damage. The study was conducted from October 2020 to October 2021 at three reference health facilities in Cameroon. A total of 266 participants (131 males and 135 females) ranging from 15 to 88 years old with 48.28 ± 17.29 years as mean age were enrolled. Each participant gave a written informed consent and ethical committees approved the protocol. Biopsies samples were collected for H. pylori detection using histological examination and rapid urease test. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) content, and catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were evaluated in serum as biomarkers of oxidative stress. Helicobacter pylori was detected in 71.80% of our sample population. Low income level was associated with higher GSH level (P = 0.0249) and having family history of gastric cancer to higher SOD activity (P = 0.0156). A significant higher MDA content (P < 0.0001) and SOD activity (P = 0.0235) was recorded among infected individuals compared with noninfected ones. A significantly higher MDA content and SOD activity was recorded among smokers (P = 0.0461) and participants older than 50 years old (P = 0.0491) with H. pylori positivity. Our findings showed that H. pylori infection is associated with overproduction of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. The presence of this pathogen in elderly individuals or in smokers increased their risk for oxidative stress.

A comprehensive study of Helicobacter pylori infection: molecular analysis, antibacterial susceptibility, and histopathological examination.

Helicobacter pylori is a pathogen associated with gastroduodenal diseases. This study aimed; (i) to investigate H. pylori presence by invasive tests in adult dyspeptic patients, (ii) to determine antibiotic susceptibility and genotypic characteristics of the H. pylori isolates, and (iii) to investigate the relationship between the H. pylori genotypes and the histopathological findings. In this cross-sectional study, gastric biopsy samples from 208 adult dyspeptic patients were used for culture, tissue Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and histopathological analysis. Antibiotic susceptibility of the H. pylori isolates was analyzed by gradient method. Analysis of the virulence genes was performed by monoplex PCR. Genetic profiles (from A to H) were created based on the virulence genes presence. Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus-PCR (ERIC-PCR) was used for the genotyping of the H. pylori isolates. The mean age of the patients was 46 (± 15) years and 128 (61.5%) of them were female. H. pylori positivity was detected by culture, tissue PCR and histopathological examination in 59 (28.4%), 114 (54.8%) and 81 (38.9%) patients, respectively. The overall prevalence of H. pylori was found to be 63% (131/208). All H. pylori isolates were susceptible to tetracycline and amoxicillin. The resistance rates for metronidazole, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, and rifampicin were 67.2%, 27.9%, 34.4% and 13.11%, respectively. Multi drug resistance (MDR) was detected at the rate of 45.9% (28/61). While the most common virulence gene was cagA (93.44%), the least common was vacAm1 (23%). The predominant genetic profile was profile A (47.5%). ERIC-PCR results revealed a total of 26 different patterns. A high prevalence of H. pylori was detected in adult dyspeptic patients as in developing countries. It was observed significant genotypic heterogeneity and virulence gene diversity within the isolates. A considerable resistance rate detected against antibiotics such as clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin, which are frequently used in the eradication of H. pylori, should be taken into consideration when creating regional empirical treatment regimens.

The Translational Impact of Plant-Derived Xeno-miRNA miR-168 in Gastrointestinal Cancers and Preneoplastic Conditions.

Diet is one of the most important factors contributing to the multistep process of carcinogenesis. The clinical relevance of exogenous food-derived xeno-microRNAs (miRNAs) in human diseases is poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential clinical relevance of the xeno-miRNA miR-168 in the gastric mucosa along the preneoplastic conditions and gastric carcinogenesis. For a systematic analysis, we included stomach tissues from patients with different pathologies, including normal mucosa (N), chronic non-atrophic (CNAG) and atrophic gastritis (CAG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) (n = 72), matched non-tumorous (NT) and tumorous (T) gastric cancer (GC) tissues (n = 81), matched colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues (n = 40), and colon mucosa and faeces from controls and IBD patients. miR-168 was reproducibly detectable in all samples studied, with the highest levels in the proximal upper GI and in non-tumorous compared to tumorous tissues in both GC and CRC. There was no difference related to H. pylori positivity or inflammation grade, while higher miR-168 levels were observed in patients with moderate or severe AG/IM or OLGIM3/4. Survival analysis showed only a small, non-significant trend towards worse overall survival for patients with the highest to lowest miR-168 levels, while no differences were related to Lauren's classification. Food-derived xeno miRNAs are reproducibly detectable in the gastric and colonic mucosa. Although the clinically relevant function remains to be elucidated, higher levels of miR-168 in patients with moderate and severe IM merit further investigation.

Increased prevalence of gastric pathologies in patients with total hip and total knee prostheses: a retrospective endoscopic study

Aims: The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) positivity, gastric atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia in patients with dyspeptic complaints who had undergone total hip and knee replacement surgeries, compared to a control group without prosthesis.&#x0D; Methods: The study group consisted of 51 patients with dyspeptic complaints and total knee and hip prosthesis, while the control group comprised 75 patients with similar complaints but without prosthesis. Endoscopic gastric biopsies were obtained from all participants, and the presence of H. pylori, gastric atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia were evaluated.&#x0D; Results: The prevalence of H. pylori positivity, gastric atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia were significantly higher in patients who underwent total knee and hip replacement compared to the control group without prosthesis.&#x0D; Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that patients who undergo total hip and knee replacement surgeries may be at higher risk for developing gastric pathologies, such as H. pylori infection, gastric atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia. Therefore, it is recommended that physicians who care for these patients monitor them closely for these conditions and consider endoscopic surveillance as part of their management plan.

Sero- and Feco-Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Its Associated Risk Factors among Adult Dyspeptic Patients Visiting the Outpatient Department of Adet Primary Hospital, Yilmana Densa District, Northwest Ethiopia.

Most gastric cancers in the world are attributed to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections. The prevalence of H. pylori infection is influenced by socioeconomic status, hygiene, and lifestyle of the population. This study aimed to assess sero- and feco-prevalence of H. pylori infections and its associated risk factors among adult dyspeptic patients visiting the outpatient department of Adet Primary Hospital, Yilmana Densa District, northwest Ethiopia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 10, 2022 to April 10, 2022. The study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. The data were collected by pretested questionnaires. Blood and stool specimens were collected from each patient for antibody and H. pylori antigen tests, respectively. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26.0. A logistic regression model was used to assess the strength of association between H. pylori positivity and risk factors. The sero- and feco-prevalence of H. pylori infection was 62% and 51.1%, respectively. In those patients who had a positive result with either the antibody (Ab) or antigen (Ag) test, rural residence (AOR = 5.55; 95% CI: 2.34-13.14; p < 0.001), alcohol consumption (AOR = 12.34; 95% CI: 2.29-66.51; p=0.003), having no awareness about H. pylori transmission (AOR = 4.76; 95% CI: 1.86-12.15; p=0.001), using pond/river as a source of drinking water (AOR = 5.22; 95% CI: 1.91-14.27; p=0.001), and open field defecation (AOR = 4.19; 95% CI: 1.67-10.52; p=0.002) were the explanatory risk factors significantly associated with H. pylori infection. This study showed that the prevalence of H. pylori infection was very high. Most cases of gastric cancers are ascribed to H. pylori infection. Therefore, education should be given to communities so as to increase their awareness of the infection and the associated major explanatory risk factors identified in the present study.

Association of Helicobacter pylori Positivity With Risk of Disease and Mortality.

Helicobacter pylori colonizes the human stomach. Infection causes chronic gastritis and increases the risk of gastroduodenal ulcer and gastric cancer. Its chronic colonization in the stomach triggers aberrant epithelial and inflammatory signals that are also associated with systemic alterations. Using a PheWAS analysis in more than 8,000 participants in the community-based UK Biobank, we explored the association of H. pylori positivity with gastric and extragastric disease and mortality in a European country. Along with well-established gastric diseases, we dominantly found overrepresented cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic disorders. Using multivariate analysis, the overall mortality of H. pylori -positive participants was not altered, while the respiratory and Coronovirus 2019-associated mortality increased. Lipidomic analysis for H. pylori -positive participants revealed a dyslipidemic profile with reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and omega-3 fatty acids, which may represent a causative link between infection, systemic inflammation, and disease. Our study of H. pylori positivity demonstrates that it plays an organ- and disease entity-specific role in the development of human disease and highlights the importance of further research into the systemic effects of H. pylori infection.

Determining the clarithromycin-resistance of helicobacter pylori in first-line therapy with melting curve analysis

Aims: We aimed to determine the usefulness of melting curve analysis with the PCR technique in predicting the primary clarithromycin resistance of H. pylori before antibiotic use. Methods: 46 H. pylori positive clarithromycin based therapy naïve patients were included in the study. After proving H. pylori positivity with a real-time test, histopathological examination and rapid urease test, patients were treated with clarithromycinbased triple therapy for 14 days. Then patients were underwent a control endoscopy and tissue samples were taken 8 weeks after the initial endoscopy. The presence of H. pylori was investigated by using TaqMan-based real-time PCR and clarithromycin resistance was determined using two different molecular methods:melting curve analysis and DNA sequencing. Results: In total 18 patients (39.1%) were diagnosed as H. pylori positive on histopathological examination and 26 (56.5%) were diagnosed as H. pylori positive with TaqMan-based PCR, after triple therapy. According to results of melting curve analysis, primary resistance was found in 4 samples before treatment and secondary resistance was found in a different 4 samples after treatment. The DNA analysis showed that 9 patients had primary mutations in the pre-treatment group:4 patients had A2142CA2143G(T), 3 patients had T2182C, and 2 patients had both mutations, and also showed that 6 patients had mutations in the post-treatment group:4 patients had A2142C-A2143G, 2 patients had T2182C mutations. Conclusion: PCR based melting curve analysis may fail in determining clarithromycin resistance before eradication therapy. Hence, this method may also be used in combination with another molecular method such as DNA sequence analysis for improved detection of clarithromycin resistance.

Helicobacter pylori Burden in the United States According to Individual Demographics and Geography: A Nationwide Analysis of the Veterans Healthcare System

There are no contemporary large-scale studies evaluating the burden of Helicobacter pylori in the United States according to detailed demographics. The primary objective was to evaluate H pylori positivity in a large national healthcare system according to individual demographics and geography. We conducted a nationwide retrospective analysis of adults in the Veterans Health Administration who completed H pylori testing between 1999 and 2018. The primary outcome was H pylori positivity overall, as well as according to zip code-level geography, race, ethnicity, age, sex, and time period. Among 913,328 individuals (mean, 58.1 years; 90.2% male) included between 1999 and 2018, H pylori was diagnosed in 25.8%. Positivity was highest in non-Hispanic black (median, 40.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 40.0%-40.5%) and Hispanic (36.7%; 95% CI, 36.4%-37.1%) individuals and lowest in non-Hispanic white individuals (20.1%; 95% CI, 20.0%-20.2%). Although H pylori positivity declined in all racial and ethnic groups over the timeframe, the disproportionate burden of H pylori in non-Hispanic black and Hispanic compared with non-Hispanic white individuals persisted. Approximately 4.7% of the variation in H pylori positivity was explained by demographics, with race and ethnicity accounting for the vast majority. The burden of H pylori is substantial in the United States among veterans. These data should (1) motivate research aimed at better understanding why marked demographic differences in H pylori burden persist so that mitigating interventions may be implemented and (2) guide resource allocation to optimize H pylori testing and eradication in high-risk groups.