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 f or Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). H. pylori was demonstrated in 14 ( 25%) of the patients. There was no sex difference in those with H. pyl ori infections and the bacteria were only found in those above 22 year s of age. Fifty six percent of those with the infection in which ethni city 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.