SEROLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING THE GASTROINTESTINAL CLINIC AT FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa and is associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and gastric cancer. Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and prevention of complications. Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection among patients attending the Gastrointestinal Clinic at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, and to explore the utility of Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for molecular confirmation in a subset of seropositive individuals. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 consecutive patients. Venous blood samples were screened for H. pylori IgG antibodies using a rapid diagnostic test. Stool samples were obtained from five seropositive participansts and subjected to DNA extraction and PCR targeting the 23S rRNA gene. Data were analysed descriptively. Results: Of the 50 participants, 19 (38%) were males and 31 (62%) were females. Serology detected H. pylori antibodies in 28 participants (56%). Seropositivity was higher among females (21/31; 67.7%) than males (7/19; 36.8%). The highest seroprevalence was observed in the 11–15 and 51–55 year age groups. PCR confirmed H. pylori DNA in one of the five stool samples tested. Conclusion: A high seroprevalence of H. pylori was observed. However, molecular confirmation was limited, underscoring the inability of serology alone to distinguish active from past infection. Where resources permit, incorporation of PCR or other tests for active infection would improve diagnostic accuracy and patient management.