Molecular evidence of Helicobacter suis infection in pigs in Nigeria

Helicobacter suis mainly colonizes the stomach of pigs and occasionally infects humans. It is a prevalent cause of gastritis and gastric ulcers in both species. This study was designed to determine the colonization rate of H. suis in the stomach of pigs in Nigeria. Pig slaughter house surveys were conducted and stomach mucosa samples were collected from the fundus of the stomach of a total of 160 pigs in four locations in Nigeria (Lagos, Delta, Enugu and Plateau States). In each location, 50% of the samples were collected from stomachs with ulceration in the fundus, while the rest were from those with no gross lesions. DNA was extracted and PCR assay was conducted using standard primers. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and Chi-square test (p< 0.05). H. suis was detected in 8.75% of the samples across the four locations at a frequency of 15, 7.5, 10 and 2.5% in Lagos, Delta, Enugu and Plateau states, respectively. H suis was detected in 12.5 and 5% of the stomachs with ulcers and without ulcers, respectively. H suis colonizes pigs in Nigeria at a relatively low rate with its colonization rate being higher in stomachs with ulcers. There is need for characterization of the strains of the organism in Nigeria for a better understanding of its possible role in gastric ulceration in pigs.   Key words: Gastric ulcer, Helicobacter suis, pigs, stomach.