Background:
Worldwide, the prevalence of pathogenic bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) and the protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia) is well known. It is more common in densely populated area with poor sanitation in developing countries as compared to developed countries. Although the prevalence of these organisms is widely studied in our population but our study is a unique kind in its way where we have determined co-infection of H.pylori and G. lamblia in gastric and duodenal biopsies respectively. To know the prevalence of H. pylori, G. lamblia and their co-infection in endoscopic biopsy specimen received at Dr. Tahir laboratory, Hamdard Medical University, Karachi.
Methods:
This prospective study was conducted in the department of Histopathology at Dr. Tahir Laboratory, Hamdard Medical University, Karachi during January 2016 - December 2017. All the consecutive cases of gastric and duodenal biopsies from the same patient received during 2 years were reviewed. The data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis using SPSS version 22.
Results:
A total of 187 gastric and duodenal biopsies (males = 99/52.9%, females = 88/47.0%) (age range = 22 to 71 years) were received through 2 years of duration. Out of 187 cases, H.pylori was found in 120 (64.1%) gastric biopsies, torphozoites of G.lamblia were seen in 42 (22.4%) duodenal biopsies, co-infection of H.pylori and G.lamblia was positive in 15 (8.0%)cases whereas no infection was observed by these organisms in 10 (5.3%) cases.
Conclusion:
This study concludes a high prevalence of H. pylori & G. lamblia in our population. Moreover, the study also noted co-infection of these organisms in the study area
