The Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection among Patients of Msallatah and Al-Khoms Cities

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral, gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa and constitutes the most common chronic bacterial infection worldwide, predisposing to peptic ulcer disease, chronic gastritis, and gastric malignancies. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2024 and April 2025 at random Laboratories in Msallatah and Al-Khoms cities, Libya, to determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection and its association with age, gender, and residence. A total of 250 patients (102 males, 148 females; age range 10–75 years) undergoing physician-requested serological testing were enrolled. Venous blood samples were processed for serum and analyzed using ELISA kits to detect anti-H. pylori IgG/IgM antibodies.  Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 25. Overall, 44.8% of participants tested positive for H. pylori antibodies. Seroprevalence was slightly higher in Al-Khoms (24.8%) than in Msallatah (20.0%), and greater among females (27.2%) than males (17.6%). Age-specific prevalence peaked in the 32 - 42 year group (59.4%) and was lowest in the 65 – 75 year group (42.3%). These results reveal a substantial burden of H. pylori infection in Msallatah and Al-Khoms, with demographic disparities by age and gender, underscoring the need for better diagnostic access and targeted public health interventions.