TITLE:
Helicobacter pylori Virulence Genes cagA, babA2, and vacA Detection in Dyspeptic Patients from Burkina Faso
AUTHORS:
Tegwinde Rebeca Compaore, Kalifou Traore, Nômawendé Ines Compaore, Lassina Traore, Sylvie Zida, Serge Theophile Soubeiga, Dinanibe Kambire, Jean Claude R. P. Ouedraogo, Aminata Dickel Sidibe, Yasmine Astrid Sana, Tani Sagna, Wendkuuni Florencia Djigma, Henri Gautier Ouedraogo, Jacques Simpore
KEYWORDS:
Helicobacter pylori, Stool, cagA, babA2, vacA
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Molecular Biology,
Vol.13 No.3,
June
30,
2023
ABSTRACT: The diverse clinical presentation of Helicobacter
pylori (H. pylori) infection results from the interaction between
bacterial virulence, host genetics, socio-demographic and environmental
factors. This study aimed to characterize Helicobacter pylori virulence
genes and the associated behavioral factors among dyspeptic patients in Burkina
Faso. Two hundred and fifty (250) stool samples were collected from patients
with dyspepsia seen at health centers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Bacterial
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted using a commercial kit. Virulence
genes were detected using conventional multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction with
specific primers. The overall prevalence of Helicobacter pylori of the
250 participants was 91.20%. CagA virulence gene was present among
20.19% of individuals, while babA2 and vacA were detected respectively
among 9.65% and 67.54% of the population positive for Helicobacter pylori.
Among vacA subtypes, vacAs1 was the most frequent, with 39.04%, followed
by vacAi1 (19.74%), vacAi2 (17.54%), and vacAs2 with
10.96%. Regarding vacAm1 and vacAm2, they were less frequent at
6.14% each. “Handwashing three times or less per day” significantly increased
the risk of having vacAi2 allele and H. pylori rRNA16s, with
p-values of 0.013 and 0.020, respectively. The consumption of non-tap water
increases the risk of carrying the cagA virulence gene. Additionally, H.
pylori-positive patients living with more than four (4) people in their
household had about two times the risk of having the vacAs1 allele. The
present study shows the detection of Helicobacter pylori cagA, vacA subtypes, and babA2 by stool a PCR method in Burkina Faso. The strong association between sanitary
habits and virulence factors depicts the composite interaction between
ecological factors, gastric mucosa, and bacteria. Therefore, the synergic action
of these factors should be considered when aiming for bacterial eradication and
gastric pathology cure.