Correlation of Helicobacter pylori infection with gastroduodenal diseases in Nigeria - improvement of diagnosis and treatment

幽门螺杆菌感染在发展中国家很常见，尼日利亚高达85%的人口受到感染。这些革兰氏阴性菌是胃炎、消化性溃疡的病原体，是胃癌发展的危险因素。幽门螺旋杆菌很难培养，而且这种病原体的诊断和治疗很困难，特别是在非洲国家。我们设法建立了一个由位于尼日利亚不同地区的四家大医院组成的地方网络，并在拉各斯设立了一个协调中心。收集幽门螺杆菌菌株和活检材料，研究流行病学情况。我们的研究旨在为幽门螺杆菌的正确诊断提供更有效的方法，并改善治疗策略，包括新的和快速的幽门螺杆菌耐药性测定方法。此外，将确定尼日利亚幽门螺杆菌菌株的毒力潜力，并与诊断出的胃十二指肠疾病进行比较。这是尼日利亚首次进行此类综合研究。预期的好处包括尼日利亚建立和改善基础设施和管理幽门螺旋杆菌引起的疾病的前景。我们的提议整合了尼日利亚和德国的科学家，建立了一个德国-非洲网络，包括一个针对尼日利亚博士生的强化教育项目。这将为非洲的年轻科学家带来更好的职业前景。

Helicobacter pylori infections are frequent in developing countries and up to 85% of the population of Nigeria is affected. These Gram-negative bacteria are the causative agent of gastritis, peptic ulcer and represent a risk factor for the development of gastric cancers. H. pylori is fastidious to cultivate as well as diagnosis and treatment of this pathogen is difficult, especially in African countries. We managed to establish a local network consisting of four major hospitals located in different areas of Nigeria with a coordination centre in Lagos. H. pylori strains as well as biopsy material will be collected to study the epidemiological situation. Our study is aimed to implement more efficient methods for proper diagnosis and to improve treatment strategies against H. pylori, including novel and fast methods for H. pylori antibiotic resistance determination. In addition, the virulence potential of H. pylori strains in Nigeria will be determined and compared with diagnosed gastroduodenal disease. This is the first comprehensive study of its kind in Nigeria. The expected benefits include a perspective for Nigeria to build up and improve the infrastructure and the management of H. pylori-induced diseases. Our proposal integrates scientists from both Nigeria and Germany establishing a German-African network including an intense education program for Ph.D. students from Nigeria. This will result in a better career perspective for young scientists in Africa.