Prevalence and histopathological features of Helicobacter pylori infection among patients undergoing upper endoscopy in Zakho City, Iraq during 2021–2023

Naqid, Ibrahim A; Hussein, Nawfal; Kareem, Ghasaq Muhanad; Yousif, Shivan Hassan; Yousif, Ahmed Hassan; Salih, Hnar Hnar; Mohammed, Alnd Zaher; Yosouf, Ammar Mohammed; Habib, Layla Ismat; Abdullah, Sidra Mahmoud; Haji, Bushra Mustafa; Abdulkareem, Kawar Sardar; Musa, Dildar H; M Saleem, Zana Sidiq; Ibrahim, Nashwan

doi:10.21608/mid.2025.352180.2456

	Prevalence and histopathological features of Helicobacter pylori infection among patients undergoing upper endoscopy in Zakho City, Iraq during 2021–2023
Microbes and Infectious Diseases
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 07 April 2025
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.352180.2456
Authors
Ibrahim A Naqid^* ¹; Nawfal Hussein²; Ghasaq Muhanad Kareem³; Shivan Hassan Yousif³; Ahmed Hassan Yousif⁴; Hnar Hnar Salih⁵; Alnd Zaher Mohammed⁵; Ammar Mohammed Yosouf⁵; Layla Ismat Habib⁵; Sidra Mahmoud Abdullah⁵; Bushra Mustafa Haji⁵; Kawar Sardar Abdulkareem⁴; Dildar H Musa⁶; Zana Sidiq M Saleem⁶; Nashwan Ibrahim⁶
¹Department of Biomedical sciences, College of Medicine, University of Zakho Zakho International Road, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
²Department of Biomedical sciences, College of Medicine, University of Zakho, Zakho, Kurdistan Region of Iraq
³Department of Biomedical sciences, College of Medicine, University of Zakho, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
⁴Department of Internal Medicine, Directorate of health, Zakho General Hospital, Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
⁵Department of medical education development, College of Medicine, University of Zakho, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
⁶Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection varies worldwide and is associated with gastrointestinal diseases. Helicobacter pylori prevalence varies globally and is linked to gastrointestinal diseases. This study examines the prevalence and histopathological features of H. pylori among outpatients undergoing upper endoscopy in Zakho, Iraq, from 2021 to 2023. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between 2021 and 2023 in Zakho, Iraq. A total of 183 patients aged 16 to 75 years were diagnosed based on endoscopic biopsy and specimens obtained from the antrum and body of the stomach. A microscopic examination was performed following histopathological specimen preparation to detect H. pylori and analyze histopathological findings. Results: Among 183 patients who underwent endoscopy, H. pylori infection was found in 128 (69.94%). The most common symptoms were epigastric pain 55 (30.05%), burning sensation 41 (22.4%), and nausea 33 (18.03%), Only regurgitation showed a significant difference (p = 0.023). Common endoscopic findings included pangastritis 51 (27.87%, p = 0.01), erosive gastritis 40 (21.85%), gastric ulcers 31 (16.93%, p = 0.01), and duodenal ulcers 22 (12.02%, p = 0.003). Histopathologically, ulceration/erosion 127 (69.3%, p = 0.01) and lymphoepithelial lesions (20.76%, p = 0.001) were significantly more frequent in H. pylori-positive patients. Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of H. pylori, strongly linked to ulceration, erosion, pangastritis, and erosive gastritis. The findings highlight the need for region-specific management guidelines to improve treatment and public health strategies in Zakho.
Keywords
Endoscopy; histopathology; epidemiology; ulcers; gastritis

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