Researchers at the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, have warned of a silent, pervasive stomach lining bacteria, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), that silently fuels gastritis, ulcers, and gastric cancer. The NIMR, Director of Research and Professor of Microbiology, Professor Stella Smith, stated this during the institute’s monthly media parley in Lagos. He stressed the urgent need for greater awareness, better diagnostic methods, and improved treatment adherence to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Smith, who has dedicated years to the diagnosis and treatment of the pathogen, lamented that with a prevalence of 85 to 87 per cent, only a few Nigerians are aware of its risks, which is above the global average of 43 percent.
“Helicobacter pylori infect the stomach of 43 per cent of the world’s population but in Nigeria, the prevalence is a staggering 85-87 per cent. Yet, it remains largely ignored, underfunded, and misunderstood.”
She explained that, unlike airborne viruses, H. pylori are acquired through contaminated food and water, often in childhood, but it can lead to far more severe complications, including gastric cancer.”
“We found that 80 per cent of H. pylori-positive cases were children under 10 in some regions, adding that, the bacteria’s insidious nature lies in its ability to persist for decades, often without immediate symptoms.”
She added that in about seven-year study, 95 per cent of H. pylori strains were resistant to metronidazole (Flagyl), but disclosed that a critical challenge is the growing resistance to antibiotics, a direct result of misuse.
“H. pylori are a bacterial infection that can be treated and cured with antibiotics. However, treatment requires two antibiotics over 10 to 14 days, and many patients stop taking their medication too soon, leading to drug resistance,” she stated.
To combat this, the expert founded the African Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group, aiming to establish best management practices across the continent. “We’ve created an online registry to track treatment regimens and eradication rates. This will allow us to identify the most effective antibiotics for our local setting.”
Speaking on other critical public health issues, including cholera and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), she said, “Cholera outbreaks, especially in regions like the southeast and south-south, remain a serious concern.
Regarding AMR, the expert, who heads the NIMR AMR Committee, warned of its silent pandemic status.
“Before COVID-19, WHO recognized AMR as one of the top urgent disease threats worldwide,” they highlight. Millions are dying annually from antibiotic-resistant infections. We must act now to curb this crisis. We need to educate, inform, and act. Millions of lives depend on it,” she added.
