Abstract:
Helicobacter pylori infection remains a significant health concern in
developing countries, with considerable variation in prevalence according to various
risk factors. There is a need to develop a non-invasive diagnostic method for detecting
Helicobacter pylori infection, as current routine diagnostic methods often involve
invasive procedures.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the stool
sample using molecular technique, PCR, and associated factors among patients with
gastroduodenal disorders at the Gastroenterology unit, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on fifty-two stool samples
obtained from patients having gastroduodenal disorders with a mean age of
56.31±14.59 years. Genomic DNA extraction from stool samples was performed
using the silica-based spin column technique. Extracted DNA was subjected to real
time PCR targeting Helicobacter pylori-specific primer, the ureA gene. The socio
demographic factors such as age, gender, geographical location and MOH division,
clinical factors such as the history of gastroduodenal and extra-gastroduodenal
disorders, life style factors such as consumption of main meals on time, habit of
fasting, smoking, alcohol consumption and handling animals and environmental
factors such as source of drinking water, hand hygiene and household crowding index
were analyzed using bivariate analysis such as chi-square test and Fischer’s exact test.
Results: About 7.7% (4/52) were found to be positive for Helicobacter pylori
infection. A significant association was found between Helicobacter pylori infection
and family history of gastritis (p<0.001) and peptic ulcers (p=0.022), and hand
hygiene (p=0.022).
Conclusions: Our findings highlight that there was a 7.7% prevalence of
Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with gastroduodenal disorders attending the
Gastroenterology Unit, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna, and a significant association was
found between Helicobacter pylori infection and family history of gastritis and peptic
ulcers, and hand hygiene practices. but comparison of the findings with the gold
standard method will be required for further confirmation.
