Genetic Determinants of Helicobacter pylori Pathogenicity and Their Association with Gastric Disorders
Abstract
Enteric pathogens and enteric pathogen DNA may be discharged into rivers with partially or untreated wastewater. Helicobacter pylori is well-known as a gastric pathogen, but recent studies on the environment and wastewater indicate that water, sediment, sludge and biofilms may play a role in the acquisition and maintenance of H pylori in the environment and transmission. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish a molecular-environmental map of the distribution of the high-risk H. pylori strains at the wastewater-Euphrates River interface and their reduction or persistence in the transferred freshwater along seven sampling stations in Al-Nasiriyah City, Iraq. Methods: Seven stations were placed on an up-, mixing and down-stream gradient. The samples of water and sediment were suggested to be collected in three sets and then analysed for various physicochemical parameters such as alkalinity (HCO3-), hardness (Ca2+ and Mg2+), conductivity (EC), salt adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+), sulfate (SO4 2-), chloride (Cl-), and total hardness (TH). The molecular detection would involve the detection of the 16S rRNA, ureA and ureC gene of H. pylori, while the genotyping would involve PCR/qPCR and sequencing of cagA, bacA s/m alleles, babA, oipA, dupA, iceA, and hopQ. Main findings/results: The integrated design determines that the station with the highest risk is the wastewater discharge point and the immediate downstream stations, and that persistence downstream will be dependent on salinity, organic load, suspended particles, sediments, and biofilm formation. cagA+/vacA s1m1, particularly together with babA, oipA or hopQ are considered to be the most important molecular markers of public health concern. Conclusions: MWM can enable routine water quality monitoring to become pathogen-specific monitoring, allowing identification of contamination hotspots, estimation of persistence downstream, and provide information to guide wastewater management in Al-Nasiriyah.
How to Cite This Article
Mushtaq Talib Al-Safi (2026). Genetic Determinants of Helicobacter pylori Pathogenicity and Their Association with Gastric Disorders . International Journal of Biological and Biomedical Research (IJBBMR), 2(5), 63-68. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54660/IJBBR.2026.2.5.63-68