helicobacter pylori cagA, cagE and BabA2 genotypes in patients with intestinal metaplasia and gastritis

Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is involved in the multistep process that finally leads to gastric malignancies. The link of genotypes of H.pylori with clinical diseases remains controversial. The aim of the study was to investigate the H.pylori cytotoxin-associated gene (cagA), cagE and blood group antigen-binding adhesin (babA2) in patients with Intestinal Metaplasia (IM) and Gastritis (G) as a control group. A total of 36 gastric biopsy specimens (antrum & corpus) were obtained from patients with IM and G based on histopathology findings. DNA extraction and PCR were used to detect the presence or absence of bacterial virulence genes (cagA, cagE and babA2).

The overall prevalence of cagA in H.pylori strains was 44.4% (16/36). The prevalence of cagA, cagE and babA2 however, was significantly associated with IM (p=0.001, p=0.002, p=0.001, respectively)

Conclusions: H.pylori with cagA, cagE and babA2 were found in the majority of IM patients than G. There was significant association between genotypes and clinical diseases.

Table: Distribution of cagA, cagE and babA2 according to clinical disease

(*p<0.05)
Disease	Virulence gene
	cagA	cagE	BabA2
IM (n=18)	78% (14/18)*	78% (14/18)*	56% (10/18)*
G (n=18)	11% (2/18)	39% (7/18)	6% (1/18)