Preliminary report of the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and distribution of vacA genotypes in Montevideo, Uruguay

Background: Little is known about the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and the presence of specific genotypes in Uruguay. Aims: To determine the prevalence of H. pylori in symptomatic individuals in Uruguay, to assess the prevalence of bacterial genotypes, and evaluate the association between specific genotypes and endoscopic findings. Patients: 32 patients presenting to the Hospital de Clínicas in Montevideo for upper endoscopy were enrolled. Methods: H. pylori status was determined by rapid urease test and by culture of gastric biopsy specimens from the antrum and body. H. pylori vacA genotypes were determined by PCR. Results: The prevalence of H. pylori was 66% based on culture and rapid urease test. Analysis of the vacA gene by PCR, we found a high proportion of multiple infections (42.9%). The s1a allele was found in 47.6% of patients and s1b was found in 33.3%. We could not demonstrate a significant association between infection with H. pylori, nor specific bacterial genotypes, and endoscopic findings. Conclusions: The prevalence of H. pylori in symptomatic patients in Montevideo is lower than typically found in developing countries probably as result of the low sensitivity of the two invasive tests used. The vacA genotypes of H. pylori found in Uruguay differs from the rest of Latin America with 47.6% bearing the s1a vacA allele. These results confirmed that European descendents different from Spain and Portugal are important part of the Uruguayan population.