Helicobacter pylori is motile, Gram negative, bacillus that can be best described as spiral shaped, oxidase negative and catalase negative, urease producer and micro aerobic. This microaerophilic is poised to thrive in the stomach since it requires only 4% oxygen, 5% carbon dioxide and 5% hydrogen for its growth. (Namyalo et al., 2009).
Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that is harbored on the luminal surface of the gastric epithelium and it was first cultured isolated by Warren and Marshall in Nineteen eighty-three. It chronic irritates the mucosa beneath it. It is usually acquired in the first five years of life and usually stays indefinitely in the body unless one is treated. Its prevalence increases as age advanced and was seen at lower childhood social economic status which accounts for the differences in prevalence in different places. (leontiadis et al., 2009).
Helicobacter pylori infection is highly prevalent across the globe although a recent systematic review shows that many people become infected in their childhood. 4.4 billion people around the world are said to have H. pylori infection. However, prevalence was highest in Africa at 70.1% and the lowest recording was in the area varying from 81% and 63.5% respectively though highest H. pylori prevalence was shown. Turkey showed the highest prevalence in Western Asia (77.2%). (Hooi et al., 2017).
In Africa, the infection is highly endemic with a frequency rate of 70.1% and it is acquired in childhood, thus might provide lifelong immunity if untreated (Ifeanyi & Jolaiya,2021)
The majority of these newly infected people will not develop symptoms for some time. As a result, H. pylori has been associated with acute and chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastrointestinal malignancy as well as recurring extra-gastric illness such dyspaparesia Matte et aliliate text, ether causal or not remains to be undetermined. It is found in Africa and Asia. Although its prevalence varies due to the geography, age of people and socioeconomic factors; but is considerably high in developing countries. (Belay et al., 2020). The approximate pooled prevalence of H. pylori infection was 52.2% (95%). In a subgroup analysis by region, it was found to be as high in Somalia (71%) and noted lowest among those aged years from Oromia (39.9%). Although the exact transmission mode of H. pylori is not known, it is frequently considered to be transmitted via water/food by fecal–oral or oral-oral routes due The prevalence of H. pylori infection increases with age (Öztekin et al., 2021)
Because the infection is acquired by oral ingestion of bacterium, and because transmission occurs predominantly within families in early childhood, it seems probable that direct person-to-person fecal-oral spread via vomitus saliva or feces (suspected routes) predominates in industrialized countries with a generally high standard of living; other routes such as vehicular should-directly-infected type water may be important on developing regions. (Ahmed et al., 2021).
Some of the symptoms that define Helicobacter pylori infection include heartburn, belly pain or bloating, nausea, unexplained weight loss in children, anemia not due to other causes, early feeling of fullness after eating only a small amount (early satiety), vomiting and unintentional weight loss which is associated with breast feeding.
This development rate is greater in low socio-economic status societies. The persistence of H. pylori in the stomach also displays its resistant nature as it resists both immune response and acid to cause chronic inflammation (Öztekin et al., 2021). H. pylori infections are well recognized to be even more significant in public health terms amongst low socioeconomic groups in developing countries. Hygiene, sanitation and overcrowding condition are common risk factors for H. pylori infection. The most frequent cause of chronic gastritis worldwide is infection with H. pylori.
Higher rates among older age groups is believed to represent a cohort effect from lower living conditions for children in past decades. In the developing world, the infections induced by H. pylori have been seen to be of prime public health concern and are more common among low socioeconomic stratum residents. Risk factors for H. pylori infection include poor hygiene, and sanitation and crowded living conditions. (leontiadis et al., 2009).
In addition to Haemophilus-associated diseases that demonstrate an earlier onset in developing countries, the spectrum of H. pylori infections extends beyond involvement with the gastrointestinal tract and includes associations with several complications: hyperemes gravitum coronary artery disease anemia diabetic blood family furosemide HIV growth trajectory immune and Parkinson’s disease. (Melese et al., 2019).