Introduction: H. pylori BabA is an outer membrane protein that mediates bacterial adherence to the gastric
epithelium, triggers several pathways during the course of infection, and thus contributes to the disease
development. Considering the variability in the presence of BabA coding gene (babA2) among H. pylori
clinical strains, the aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the genotype status of H. pylori
babA2 and the severity of clinical and histopathological outcomes. Methods: Gastric mucosal biopsy
specimens were collected from 30 CLO test-positive patients, 16 with gastritis and 14 with peptic ulcer
disease. Polymerase chain reaction was carried out to detect the presence of H. pylori-specific glmM gene
and BabA coding gene (babA2). Histopathological examination was performed to evaluate the severity of H.
pylori-associated gastric disease according to the Updated Sydney Classification System. Results: The glmM
and babA2 genes were present in 100% and 86.7% of the tested H. pylori strains, respectively. Although
higher degrees of inflammatory activity and H. pylori density were noted in babA2-positive biopsy
specimens, there was no statistically significant association between babA2 genotype status and the severity
of gastric disease. Conclusion: The babA2 genotype status of H. pylori may not be considered as a sole
marker for determining the infection outcomes.