Helicobacter pylori and Intestinal Parasites Co-infection:

Estimation of Risk Factors among Dyspeptic Patients in Mukalla city, Hadhramout, Yemen

Abstract

Patients with dyspepsia often have Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections, which are more common in the countries of the third world. H. pylori has ability to colonizing the gastric mucosa, and the infections often lead to development of various gastrointestinal complications. In addition, H. pylori infection and intestinal parasite colonization in humans is a regular occurrence. The purpose of the current research was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and H. pylori co-infection, as well as related risk factors, in dyspeptic patients who were sent to hospitals in Mukalla City, Hadhramout governorate, Yemen. This research used a cross-sectional design to collect and analyze 100 stool samples. The purpose was to detect H. pylori infection using a quick immunochromatographic stool-based antigen test, and also to identify any presence of parasite infection.  To obtain data, we used a structured questionnaire. The data were examined using SPSS version 24, and logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify the independent predictive risk variables, and P-value considered significant at 0.05. The total prevalence of H. pylori infection among dyspeptic patients was 30%. Males had a higher prevalence infection of H. pylori (COR=0.386, 95%CI=0.160-0.934, P=0.035). Furthermore, positive H. pylori results were significantly linked with unfiltered drinking water (COR=3.67; 95%CI=1.436-9.363; P=0.007), regurgitation and heartburn symptoms (COR=0.865, 95%CI=0.034-0.536, P=0.004), and antibiotic use (COR=0.312, 95%CI=0.125-0.780, P=0.013). This study indicates that intestinal protozoa Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia were the commonest co-infected parasites with H. pylori in dyspeptic patients with no significant association. Finally, gender, unfiltered water source, regurgitation and heartburn symptoms, and antibiotics used were risk variables associated with co-infection with the intestinal parasites E. histolytica and G. lamblia and H. pylori.