Significance of Stool Antigen Testing for Helicobacter pylori Detection in Humans

Helicobacteriosis, a globally prevalent bacterial infection caused by Helicobacter pylori, affects more than half of the world’s population. H. pylori, a Group 1 carcinogen, is a widespread pathogen associated with gastric cancer and peptic ulcers. Due to its high prevalence, carcinogenic classification, and increasing antimicrobial resistance, H. pylori remain a major global health concern. This study examined the frequency of H. pylori infection in a specific population, revealing an overall prevalence of 20.5%, with a higher infection rate among females (23.7%) than males (17.8%). The 11–20-year age group had the highest infection rate (28.6%), while the 1–10-year group had the lowest (11.5%). However, statistical analysis (Chi-square test, “P” = 0.921) indicated no significant age-related differences, suggesting a relatively uniform distribution across age groups. Similarly, rural residents exhibited a slightly higher infection rate (22.3%) than urban dwellers (18.5%). However, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.593), suggesting that the location of habitation had little to no influence on infection risk. Monthly variations in prevalence were noted, with peaks in September (24.3%) and December (21.6%), whereas August recorded the lowest rate (16.7%). However, statistical analysis (P = 0.982) revealed no significant seasonal trend, suggesting that temporal factors did not substantially influence infection rates in this study. Overall, the findings indicate a moderate prevalence of H. pylori infection with no significant variations across age, location, or season, pointing to a relatively uniform distribution within the studied population. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying risk factors and transmission dynamics.