Purpose: Helicobacter pylori
infection is common in the developing countries. The
cagA gene is a marker of pathogenicity island (PAI) in
H. pylori . The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of
cagA among dyspeptic patients in Bahrain directly from gastric biopsy and stool specimen.
Methods: A total of 100 gastric biopsy samples, 16 clinical isolates and 44 faecal specimens were collected from Bahraini adult dyspeptic patients.
cagA gene of
H. pylori was assessed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: The
cagA gene was detected in 59 (59%) from biopsy specimens, 10 (62%) clinical isolates and in 10 (22.7%) faecal specimens. The detection of
cagA positive
H. pylori was significantly higher in patients with duodenal ulcer (80%) compared to those with other endoscopic finding (42%) (
P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Using PCR to detect
cagA gene directly from biopsy is a rapid and reliable technique. However, using stool specimen for genotyping in our patients showed reduced sensitivity.
