ASSESSMENT OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI USING DIFFERENT IDENTIFICATION METHODS ON SUBFERTILE FEMALES IN A FERTILITY CLINIC IN AWKA

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pyroli infection occurs when the bacteria infects the stomach lining and causes inflammation, peptic ulcer disease and certain types of stomach cancer. Women with H.pyroli infection have specific antibodies in cervical mucus.

Aim: This study was aimed at assessment of H.pyroli using different identification methods on subfertile female patients in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study involved 101 females attending Life International Hospital, consecutively sampled aged 18 to 35 years. Stool samples were collected for culture and H.Pyroli stool antigen Elisa test (HpSA). Smears from isolated colonies were used for gram staining, urease test, catalase test and oxidase test. PCR products were separated on a 1.5% agarose gel and DNA bands were visualized with Ethidium bromide.

Results: Out of the 101 participants, 21.8% were positive in the culture method and 14.9% positive in the stool Antigen Elisa method. Among the participants, age group 31-35 years tested 100% for H.Pyroli in both methods. There were no positive cases in PCR method in all the age groups, with all cases being negative. There was significant difference in H.Pyroli among different age groups for both culture method (X²=9.751, P=0.002) and stool antigen Elisa method (X²=6.107, P=0.013). In the duration of subfertility, age groups 6-10 years had 54.5% positive in culture method and 73.3% positive in the stool antigen Elisa method with no positive in the PCR method. There was no significant difference among the different methods (p-values> 0.05).

Conclusion: The choice of test to detect H.pyroli infection depends on the prevalence and strains of H.pyroli on endemic areas, accessibility, advantages and disadvantages of each method as well as different clinical circumstances of each patient. To combine the results of two or more tests could be a reasonable strategy in routine clinical practice to achieve the most reliable result.