Abstract
Background: Clarithromycin resistant Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains represent a worldwide health problem. These stains are usually carrying mutations within the 23S rRNA gene associated with clarithromycin resistance. This study aimed to detect H. pylori and clarithromycin resistant associated mutations from Sudanese patients with gastritis symptoms.Materials and Methods: Two hundred and eighty-eight gastric biopsies were collected using gastrointestinal endoscopy from patients with gastritis symptoms in different hospitals in Khartoum state. H. pylori was detected by PCR using primers targeting 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA. Then allele-specific PCR and DNA sequencing were used to screen for the presence of A2142G and A2143G point mutations.Results: Out of 288 samples, H. pylori was detected in 97 (33.7%) sample. Allele-specific PCR detected the variant A2142G in 9/97 (9.3%) sample, while A2143G mutation was not found in any sample. The DNA sequencing revealed the presence of mutations associated with clarithromycin-resistance in 48% (12/25) of samples; the A2142G was present in one sample, A2143G in 5 samples, T2182C in 4 samples, and C2195T in 3 samples. There was no association of 23S rRNA gene point mutations with gender, age group and geographical distribution of patients.Conclusion: This study revealed a high frequency (48%) of mutations associated with clarithromycin resistance using DNA sequencing of the 23S rRNA gene's V domain. This information should be taken into consideration before choosing optimal therapy for H. pylori eradication.