Prevalence of AntiHelicobacter pylori Antibodies among Students of Cihan University, Erbil

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is resident in human stomach and causes chronic disease (peptic ulcer and gastritis). The mouth and colon were both known to host a large number of microbes. This study was carried out to investigate the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection among Cihan University students. A total of 197 blood samples were collected from the students (53 females and 144 males) from 13 departments of Cihan University, Erbil, and tested for anti-H. pylori antibodies, using rapid immunochromatography assay. Among 197 students tested, 44 (22.3%) showed positive reaction for H. pylori, 32 males and 12 females. It was non-significantly higher among students with ages ranged between 29 and 32 years old. Twenty-one of infected students were using tap water for drinking. Twenty-six (59.1%) of positive students experienced no symptoms and 18 (40.9%) were symptomatic (13.63% epigastric pain and 27.2% abdominal pain).