Screening for the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among dyspeptic patients using simple fecal antigen and serum antibody diagnostic methods at Mukalla city Hospitals, Hadhramout, Yemen

Helicobacter pylori is the most common infection in the world, and the most main causes of dyspepsia are related to H. pylori infection. In that respect, several non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection were utilized. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and its associated variables among dyspeptic patients in Mukalla city, Hadhramout-Yemen during a period from February to September 2018. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 100 suspected dyspeptic patients. Data regarding to associated variables were collected using a structured questionnaire, and the samples of feces and serum were collected and screened for H. pylori by rapid diagnostic immunochromatographic assays for antigen and antibody. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 20 and a P value <0.05 was taken statistically significant. Prevalence of H. pylori was found to be 15 and 18.5% using the antigen H. pylori test and serum anti-H. pylori test respectively. Prevalence using antigen H. pylori test was significantly associated to male sex (P=0.035). In those patients with H. pylori, a positive result with antigen test was significantly associated to drinking non-filtered water (COR = 3.67; 95%CI=1.436-9.363; P=0.007), symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation (COR=0.865, 95%CI=0.034-0.536, P=0.004) and antibiotics used (COR=0.312, 95%CI=0.125-0.780, P=0.013). The prevalence of H. pylori infection was frequent among the dyspeptic patients in the study area. H. pylori infection was related to non-filtered water source, symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation and antibiotics used are contributing factors. Moreover, further studies are needed to investigate other potential associated variables for H. pylori infection.   Key words: Antibody, antigen, dyspepsia, Helicobacter pylori, laboratory diagnosis, prevalence.