The Serological Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in Oman

Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) is one of the most common infections worldwide with about 50% of the world populations are estimated to be infected. The prevalence of H. pylori infection is higher in developing countries than in developed countries. In Oman, despite of the available studies about the prevalence of gastric cancer amongst Omani population and the emphasis that H. pylori may have a major causal factor in the etiology of gastric cancer in Omani patients, yet no published studies about the prevalence of H. pylori in Oman. The human stomach is the main reservoir for H. pylori infection; however, the exact method of transmission of infection is unknown. H. pylori infection is associated with a variety of gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal disorders. Gastrointestinal disorders include peptic ulcer diseases, chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, gastric cancer, and mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT lymphoma). Several invasive and non-invasive tests have been used for detection of H. pylori infection. Although direct testing of H. pylori by performing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and taking gastric biopsy with histological examination or culture is regarded as the gold standard of testing for H. pylori infection, however, this method is invasive, inconvenient, and expensive. On the other hand, serological testing of H. pylori is more appropriate for mass screening and epidemiological studies of H. pylori infection in the community. A research into the prevalence of H. pylori in Oman will help the health care provider in drawing reliable strategic plans for eradication of H. pylori and treatment of peptic ulcer diseases. Furthermore, it will provide an insight into the etiology of gastric cancer in Oman.