The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori cagA (+ve) among patients with gastric cancer: an Egyptian study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction and aims Gastric cancer is currently the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the world and the fifth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in Europe. It has been evident for more than the past 20 years that Helicobacter pylori is involved in the development of gastric adenocarcinoma. The cagA gene of H. pylori is the main virulence factor that leads to the development of gastric adenocarcinoma through the derangement of cellular architecture and signaling. The objective of our work is to study the prevalence of cagA among patients with gastric cancer. Patients and methods This descriptive study was done on 60 patients with gastric cancer underwent serum anti-H. pylori IgM and anti-cagA IgG assessment, computed tomography, upper endoscopy, and biopsy taking, and if needed, computed tomography-guided biopsy, followed by histopathological examination. Results A total of 34 (56.67%) patients were cagA +ve and 26 (43.33%) patients were cagA -ve, with no statistically significant difference regarding sex or age. Conclusion H. pylori cagA plays a significant role in development of gastric cancer, so we recommend not only H. pylori screening but also cagA virulence strain.