H. pylori and its cagA gene Prevalence in gastric cancer or peptic ulcer patients at in Qom

Backgrounds: Iran has a high incidence rate for gastric cancer among the Middle East countries.In addition to gastric cancer, peptic ulcer is also life-threatening; thus, investigating theprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and other risk factors are essential. The present studywas aimed to assess the frequency of H. pylori and the cagA-positive strains in patients withgastric cancer or peptic ulcer at a teaching hospital in Qom, one of the most populated cities ofIran.Materials and Methods: The presence of H. pylori was investigated in gastric cancer and pepticulcer biopsy specimens using the standard culture method. PCR analysis was performed to detectthe presence of the cagA gene.Results: The frequency of H. pylori isolates among ۸۶ investigated biopsies was ۲۰ (۲۳.۲%).Likewise, the rate of H. pylori was the highest when samples were examined from patients withgastric cancer (۲۵.۸%), while it was ۲۱.۸% when obtained from peptic ulcer patients. Thefrequency of the cagA gene in H. pylori isolates was ۹ (۵۶.۲%), as confirmed by PCR.Conclusion: Our results indicated that H. Pylori infection and its virulent strains are frequentand widely spread in Qom city. The cagA gene was present in almost half of H. pylori isolatesfrom peptic ulcer or gastric cancer patients. Therefore, it is necessary to screen it in all cases withH. pylori infection for early detection of gastric cancer.

کلیدواژه ها:

Helicobacter pylori ، cagA ، Gastric cancer ، Peptic ulcer ، Qom