The role of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in non-ulcer dyspepsia is debatable. Eradicating HP will help a small group of non-ulcer dyspeptic patients. However, it is unclear which subgroup of patients will benefit from eradication therapy. The aim of the present study was to compare the cagA and cagE status, as well as vacA genotypes, of HP in non-ulcer dyspeptic patients who responded successfully to eradication therapy compared with those patients who did not.
There is a geographic variation in Helicobacter pylori (HP) genotypes and virulence factors. Cytotoxin associated genes A (cagA) and E (cagE), and certain vacuolating cytotoxin (vacA) genotypes are associated with peptic ulcer disease (PUD). There is also a different prevalence of PUD among different ethnic groups in Malaysia. The present study compared the distribution of vacA alleles and cagA and cagE status in three ethnic groups residing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and their association with clinical outcome.