Helicobacter pyloriInfection, Virulence Genes’ Distribution and Accompanying Clinical Outcomes: The West Africa Situation

Abstract

Data onHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection and virulence factors in countries across West Africa are scattered. This systematic review seeks to present an update on the status ofH. pyloriinfection focusing on prevalence rate, distribution of virulent genes, and their link to clinical outcomes across countries in the western part of Africa. This information is expected to broaden the knowledge base of clinicians and researchers regardingH. pyloriinfection and associated virulence factors in West African countries.Search Method.A comprehensive search of the scientific literature in PubMed and ScienceDirect was conducted using the search terms including “Helicobacter pyloriinfection in West Africa”. Databases were sourced from January 1988 to December 2018.Results.Data on the incidence ofH. pyloriinfection and related pathological factors were found for some countries, whereas others had no information on it. Smoking, alcohol, exposure to high levels of carcinogens and diet were reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of gastroduodenal diseases and gastric cancer. Besides the environmental factors and genetic characteristics, there are important characteristics ofH. pylorisuch as the ability to infect, replicate, and persist in a host that have been associated with the pathogenesis of various gastroduodenal diseases.Concluding Remarks.This systematic search has provided information so far available onH. pylorivirulence factors and clinical outcomes in West Africa. Accordingly, this piece has identified gaps in the body of knowledge highlighting the need for more studies to clarify the role ofH. pylorivirulence factors and associated clinical outcomes in the burden of this bacterial infection in West Africa, as data from these countries do not give the needed direct relation.