Helicobacter pylori: Detection of dupA, iceA and cagE genes in Ghanaian patients with dyspepsia

Helicobacter pylori infection in Ghana is associated with various gastroduodenal pathologies, and its virulence is linked with several genes, some of which are connected to serious clinical disorders. However, limited information exists regarding these virulence factors in Ghana. The current study aimed to examine virulence markers such as dupA, iceA and cagE which have not been previously reported in the country. DNA was extracted from biopsies obtained from the gastric antrum of 169 patients using the Promega Wizard genomic DNA extraction kit. The presence of H. pylori and virulence genes (iceA1/iceA2, cagE, and dupA) were investigated using specific primers in a PCR assay. The results revealed an infection prevalence of 60.95%. While no iceA1 gene was detected, dupA, iceA2, and cagE genes were present in varying percentages: 32%, 28.16%, and 12.62% respectively. A significant association was identified between iceA2 and both gastritis and duodenal ulcer whereas no significant correlation with endoscopic diagnosis was observed for the cagE and dupA genes. It can thus be concluded that variations exist in the relationship between the different H. pylori virulence factors and endoscopic diagnoses, highlighting the need for further research into these associations in Ghana.