‏Molecular evaluation of Helicobacter pylori glmM gene in patients with gastric cancer

Abid, Jihad N.; A. Abdul-Lateef, Lamees; Al-Shalah, Mohend A. N.

doi:10.21608/mb.2025.362072.1259

‏Molecular evaluation of Helicobacter pylori glmM gene in patients with gastric cancer

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Babylon, Iraq.

² Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Babylon, Iraq.

10.21608/mb.2025.362072.1259

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a major etiological factor in gastric cancer (GC), which poses a significant global health burden. Chronic H. pylori infection contributes to gastric carcinogenesis through inflammation, genetic, and epigenetic changes. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection among gastric and duodenal cancer patients in Babylon province, Iraq, corresponding to demographic factors such as age, gender, and residency. It further sought to explore the role of H. pylori in gastric cancer development and inform targeted screening and eradication programs. Gastroduodenal biopsies were collected from 36 patients diagnosed with gastric and duodenal cancers at the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center in Babylon Province between October 2023 and October 2024. The presence of H. pylori was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the glmM gene. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the H. pylori infection and demographic variables, with significance set at p < 0.05. The study reported a 19.4% prevalence of H. pylori infection among cancer patients, with all positive cases detected exclusively within the cancer group (p < 0.05). Male patients accounted for 57.1% of infections, and the highest prevalence was observed among individuals aged >60 years. Significant gender- and age-based disparities were identified. Furthermore, 100% of H. pylori-positive cases were linked to gastric malignancies, underscoring the bacterium's oncogenic potential. Therefore, the findings highlight the critical role of H. pylori in gastric carcinogenesis, particularly in older male patients. The study underscores the importance of integrating targeted H. pylori screening and eradication programs with public health initiatives to reduce gastric cancer incidence.

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