Frequency of Helicobacter pylori in gastroscopic biopsy of Ugandan Africans

A total of 56 patients who presented for gastroscopy from 1993 to 1995 in Mulago Hospital had their gastroscopic biopsy specimens examined for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). H. pylori was demonstrated in 14 (25%) of the patients. There was no sex difference in those with H. pylori infections and the bacteria were only found in those above 22 years of age. Fifty six percent of those with the infection in which ethnicity was mentioned were Nyankole although they formed only 21% of the study group. In all positive cases, H. pylori was found in the antrum with accompanying chronic atrophic gastritis.