10-YEAR DYNAMICS OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION PREVALENCE IN PERSONS OF CONSCRIPTION AGE AND DATA ON PRIMARY RESISTANCE TO CLARITHOMYCIN

Вackground. Data on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection prevalence are of significant scientific and practical importance. Objective. To assess the dynamics of H. pylori infection prevalence from 2010-2013 to 2020-2023 among men aged 18-26 with dyspepsia and to determine the primary resistance of H. pylori to clarithromycin. Material and methods. The frequency of H. pylori contamination of the gastric mucosa (GM) in men aged 18-26 with dyspepsia was studied using morphological methods over the periods of 2010-2013 (n=239) and 2020-2023 (n=607). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect mutations in the 23S rRNA gene responsible for clarithromycin resistance (samples: GM biopsies) in 59 men aged 18-26 who had not undergone eradication therapy or had no known history of clarithromycin use. Results. During the period of 2010-2013, the frequency of H. pylori infection among conscripted military personnel was 65.3% (95% CI 59.1-71.1) and decreased to 49.3% (95% CI 45.3-53.2; χ²=17.69, p<0.001) by 2020-2023. Among conscripts from urban settlements, the frequency of H. pylori infection decreased from 68.4% (95% CI 60.7-75.1) to 46.7% (95% CI 42.2-51.2; χ²=22.24, p<0.001); among those from rural settlements, the decrease was not statistically significant (χ²=0.056, p=0.814). A statistically significant decrease in the frequency of H. pylori was noted in the group with cicatricial and ulcerative deformity of the gastroduodenal region without ulcerative defect, as well as with chronic gastritis. Among 59 patients with/without dyspepsia, point mutations A2143G/A2142G in the 23S ribosomal RNA gene of H. pylori were detected in 11 individuals (18.6%; 95% CI 10,7-30,4). Conclusion. In 2020-2023 compared to 2010-2013, there was a reduction in the frequency of H. pylori infection among conscription-age individuals (18-26 years) with dyspepsia, from 65.3% (95% CI 59.1-71.1) to 49.3% (95% CI 45.3-53.2; χ²=17.69, p<0.001), mainly due to a decrease among conscripts from urban settlements, in groups with cicatricial and ulcerative deformity of the gastroduodenal region without ulcerative defect, with chronic gastritis. Primary resistance of H. pylori to clarithromycin was found in 11 of 59 men (18.6%; 95% CI 10,7-30,4) tested.