Helicobacter pyloriInfection, Virulence Genes’ Distribution and Accompanying Clinical Outcomes: The West Africa Situation

Abstract

Data on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and virulence factors in countries across West Africa are scattered. This systematic review seeks to present an update on the status of H. pylori infection focusing on prevalence rate, distribution of virulent genes, and their link to clinical outcomes across countries in the western part of Africa. This information is expected to broaden the knowledge base of clinicians and researchers regarding H. pylori infection and associated virulence factors in West African countries. Search Method. A comprehensive search of the scientific literature in PubMed and ScienceDirect was conducted using the search terms including “Helicobacter pylori infection in West Africa”. Databases were sourced from January 1988 to December 2018. Results. Data on the incidence of H. pylori infection and related pathological factors were found for some countries, whereas others had no information on it. Smoking, alcohol, exposure to high levels of carcinogens and diet were reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of gastroduodenal diseases and gastric cancer. Besides the environmental factors and genetic characteristics, there are important characteristics of H. pylori such as the ability to infect, replicate, and persist in a host that have been associated with the pathogenesis of various gastroduodenal diseases. Concluding Remarks. This systematic search has provided information so far available on H. pylori virulence factors and clinical outcomes in West Africa. Accordingly, this piece has identified gaps in the body of knowledge highlighting the need for more studies to clarify the role of H. pylori virulence factors and associated clinical outcomes in the burden of this bacterial infection in West Africa, as data from these countries do not give the needed direct relation.

Characteristics of Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from Mauritanian patients

“…This low resistance rate allows for the use of clarithromycin as first‐line empirical H pylori eradication therapy in Mauritania. This level of resistance is similar to findings in Senegal 33 but lower than those in Nigeria, Tunisia, China, or Columbia 43‐49 . No data on the consumption of macrolides were available.…”

“…Unfortunately, we could not assess the vacA genotypes in H pylori ‐positive biopsies because of limited volume of available DNA extracts. However, in some previous African studies, evidence of an association between histologic findings and the vacA genotype was not always clearly demonstrated 44 …”

Clinical and Endoscopic Features in Helicobacter Pylori Infection: Literature Review

“…14,45 H.pylori with cagA, vacA, and babA positive strain pose a significant risk from developing peptic ulcers, especially duodenal ulcers. 10,[46][47][48][49] Meanwhile, gastric ulcers are related to the iceA1 and iceA2 genes. 10,50 H.pylori with cagA and vacA is localized to the cell mitochondria, causing vacuole formation, damage to the gastric barrier, and pepsin capable of causing cell death and clinical symptoms.…”

“…10,50 H.pylori with cagA and vacA is localized to the cell mitochondria, causing vacuole formation, damage to the gastric barrier, and pepsin capable of causing cell death and clinical symptoms. 46,51 The most common symptoms are epigastric pain, bloating, nausea, early satiety, abdominal fullness. 12 Pain is often described as burning or gnawing, and is usually food-related, occurs 1-3 hours after a meal or at night.…”

Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Associated Factors Among Gastritis Patents in Yekatit 12 Teaching Hospital Addis Ababa Ethiopia

“…Helicobacter pylori infection is a major global public health problem recently, which affects nearly 50 to 75% of world population. About 70% of people in developing countries with peptic ulcer diseases and slightly lower in the developed countries (4).The global magnitude of H. Pylori was 70.1% in Africa, 69.4% in western Asia, 34.3%…”