Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in dyspepsia patients and its relation to virulence factor cagA gene. Methods: In total, 110 gastric biopsies from dyspeptic patients were comparatively studied using rapid urease test and multiplex PCR. Multiplex PCR detected three genes of 16S rRNA, cagA, and ureC. Results: H. pylori was detected in 14 gastric biopsies (13%). Significantly higher number of female were infected. Furthermore, cagA gene was found in all H. pylori-positive specimens. In addition, the result indicated that the multiplex PCR with annealing temperature at 57 oC was able to effectively amplify specific products. Conclusion: The results confirmed that high prevalence of cagA gene in H. pylori among dyspeptic patients in Southern Thailand.