REVIEW  HELICOBACTER PYLORI 

Minerva Gastroenterologica e Dietologica 2018 September;64(3):222-34

DOI: 10.23736/S1121-421X.18.02464-9

Copyright © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Helicobacter pylori infection in Africa: 2018 literature update

Stella I. SMITH ¹ ✉, Abiodun SERIKI ², Roland NDIP ³, Rinaldo PELLICANO ⁴

¹ Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria; ² Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria; ³ Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; ⁴ Department of Gastroenterology, Molinette Hospital, Turin, Italy

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) relationship with humans is believed to have originated in Africa and three African H. pylori populations have been identified: hpAfrica1, hpAfrica2 and hpNEAfrica. Actually, H. pylori infection is a ubiquitous infection in developing countries, particularly Africa. In this continent, the prevalence of H. pylori is higher and the bacterium is acquired at an early age compared to developed countries. In fact, while it affects over 50% of humans in developed countries its prevalence reaches 80% or more among adults in Africa. This paper reviews works in literatures, including epidemiology, virulence genes, gastric pathology and antimicrobial treatment and resistance of H. pylori in Africa.

KEY WORDS: Helicobacter pylori - Africa - Prevalence - Infection