The relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and intestinal parasites in individuals from Khartoum state, Sudan: a case-control study

Background: In developing countries, Helicobacter pylori infection is common, as are intestinal parasites. Socioeconomic circumstances and low personal hygiene lead to the spread of these infections. This research aimed to evaluate the relationship between intestinal parasites and H. pylori in Khartoum, Sudan. Methods: This study was conducted in various hospitals in Khartoum between June and October 2018. The study involved 200 individuals: 100 patients with H. pylori as a case group and 100 healthy individuals as a control group. A stool sample was taken from each individual, and wet preparation, saturated sodium chloride flotation and formal ether concentration were used to detect intestinal parasites. Results: The results showed that 23% of H. pylori patients and 10% of healthy individuals had gastrointestinal parasites; Entamoeba histolytica was found in 12% of H. pylori cases followed by Entamoeba coli (7%) and Giardia lamblia (4%). Control group: Entamoeba histolytica in 5% followed by G. lamblia in 3% and E. coli in 2% of individuals. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of intestinal parasites between groups (P = 0.013). The prevalence rate of intestinal parasites among men and women was 24% and 22%, respectively, in the case group, and 9% and 11%, respectively, in the control group. In the case group, the highest prevalence rates (40% and 38%) were found among the age groups 1-15 and 46-60 years old, respectively, while the lowest rate (10.7%) was found among the 31-45 age group. In the control group, the highest prevalence rate (15%) was among the 31-45 age group, the lowest prevalence rate (8%) was found among the 16-30 age group. Conclusion: Together, we found that intestinal parasites are more common in patients with H. pylori. We also noticed that the rate of infection was not affected by gender while the age group was affected.