Volume 2023, Issue 1 3800810
Research Article
Open Access

Population- and Gender-Based Investigation for Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Dhamar, Yemen

Dhary A. Almashhadany

Dhary A. Almashhadany

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Science, Knowledge University, Erbil 44001, Iraq knu.edu.iq

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Sara M. Mayas

Sara M. Mayas

Department of Biology, Collage of Applied Science, Thamar University, Dhamar, Yemen thuniv.net

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Hero I. Mohammed

Hero I. Mohammed

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Science, Knowledge University, Erbil 44001, Iraq knu.edu.iq

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Abdulwahed A. Hassan

Abdulwahed A. Hassan

Department of Veterinary Public Health (DVPH), College of Veterinary Medicine, University Mosul, Mosul, Iraq

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Izhar U. H. Khan

Corresponding Author

Izhar U. H. Khan

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa Research and Development Centre, 960 Carling Ave. Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6, Canada agr.gc.ca

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First published: 25 January 2023
Citations: 4
Academic Editor: Alessandro Granito

Abstract

Among 35 species of genus Helicobacter, H. pylori is the most common causative agent of human gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. The infection can spread through direct human-to-human contact, fecal–oral route, and contaminated water. The study was designed to investigate the rate of prevalence of H. pylori in the population of Dhamar, Yemen. In this one-year study, 460 including 250 male and 210 female stool specimens were collected between January to December 2020 in Dhamar Governorate, Yemen. Of the total 460, 215 rural (male: n = 120 and female: n = 95) and 245 urban (male: n = 130 and female: n = 115) specimens were investigated for identification of H. pylori by serological test using Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HpSA) test. In addition, for comparing an improved recovery of H. pylori, conventional culture-based isolation was also carried out using three selective media. Modified Campy-blood Agar (MCA), Belo Horizonte Agar (BHA), and Egg yolk Emulsion (EYE) medium supplemented with antimicrobial agents including vancomycin (10 mg/L), cefsulodin (5 mg/L), trimethoprim (5 mg/L), and amphotericin B (5 mg/L) and isolates were phenotypically characterized. The HpSA test results revealed that of the total 460 specimens, 89 (19.3%) were positive for H. pylori with relatively low in male (n = 43; 17.2%) as compared to the female (n = 46; 21.9%) specimens. After 3–10 days of incubation, H. pylori was recovered at a variable rate on each selective (MCA: 16.5%; BHA: 15.0%; EYE: 13.0%) media. However, culture-based assay results showed less recovery (n = 81; 17.6%) with no significant difference among all selective media tested and between genders (male: n = 39; 15.6%; female: n = 42; 20.0%). The infection rate was comparatively higher in rural (n = 45; 20.9%) as compared to urban (n = 36; 14.7%) population. Overall, the study data showed the prevalence of infection in both genders of all age groups. The present study showed a relatively high rate of infection of H. pylori in the Dhamar population. The serological identification and culture-based methods are important for rapid detection, aid in treatment, and developing policies for the control and eradication of H. pylori infection and to prevent the disease in different age groups in Yemen.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to report.

Data Availability

Data are available on request.

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