Serological Evidence of Helicobacter Pylori Exposure in Asymptomatic University Students

• Salem Mohamed Ebraiek

  Public Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Misurata University, Libya

  Author

• Saad Aboualkasem

  Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Misurata University, Libya

  Author

• Mohammed Abdulaziz AlGhazali

  College of Medical Technology, Department of Genetic Engineering, Derna, Libya,

  Author

• Fatimah Ramadhan Jibreel

  Department of Medical Science Laboratories, Faculty of Health Sciences, Misurata University, Libya

  Author

• Eman Meftah Igzit

  Department of Medical Science Laboratories, Faculty of Health Sciences, Misurata University, Libya

  Author

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections globally, closely linked to multiple gastrointestinal diseases, suffering from gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer. Epidemiological data about H. pylori infection in Libya are rare, even more so among asymptomatic populations. Note: This cross-sectional study examines the seroprevalence of H. pylori antibodies among university students in Libya and their potential associations with gastrointestinal symptoms and selected medical history variables. The study involved 178 asymptomatic students from five faculties at Misurata University. Demographic and clinical information were obtained using a structured questionnaire, and blood samples were collected via a finger prick. Serological detection of anti-H. There was a test for anti-HP. In all, 10 participants were positive for H. pylori antibodies, with an overall seroprevalence of 5.6%. There was no statistically significant gender difference in seropositivity amongst females (5.5%), and males (6.3%) were found to be comparable. Also, no association was found between infection status and gastrointestinal symptoms or medical history variables, including anaemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, allergy, previous surgery to the gastrointestinal tract, and psychological stress. These findings show that asymptomatic university students had a lower sero-prevalence of H. pylori infection and also suggest the need for larger epidemiological studies to get more information about the extent of this infection in Libya.

1. Salem Mohamed Ebraiek , Public Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Misurata University, Libya

   Public Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Misurata University, Libya

2. Saad Aboualkasem , Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Misurata University, Libya

   Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Misurata University, Libya

3. Mohammed Abdulaziz AlGhazali , College of Medical Technology, Department of Genetic Engineering, Derna, Libya,

   College of Medical Technology, Department of Genetic Engineering, Derna, Libya,

4. Fatimah Ramadhan Jibreel, Department of Medical Science Laboratories, Faculty of Health Sciences, Misurata University, Libya

   Department of Medical Science Laboratories, Faculty of Health Sciences, Misurata University, Libya

5. Eman Meftah Igzit , Department of Medical Science Laboratories, Faculty of Health Sciences, Misurata University, Libya

   Department of Medical Science Laboratories, Faculty of Health Sciences, Misurata University, Libya

AHMED, A. M., & Fujeyra, A. (2024). Sero Prevalence of H. pylori Infection Among Students of Abrar University in Mogadishu-somalia. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5326605/v1

Al-Brefkani, A. M. T., Naqid, I. A., Yahya, N. B., & Hussein, N. R. (2021). Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection among children aged less than 18 years old in Duhok Province, Iraq. Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences, 7(3), 152–157. https://doi.org/10.22317/jcms.v7i3.972

Alkali, M., Okon, K. O., Jibrin, Y. B., Umar, S., Toyin, A., Darie, G. I., Buba, F., Balogun, S. T., Lasan, B., Alkali, M., Okon, K. O., Jibrin, Y. B., Umar, S., Toyin, A., Darie, G. I., Buba, F., Balogun, S. T., & Lasan, B. (2020). Sero-Prevalence of H. pylori Antibodies among Asymptomatic Rural Population in Bauchi State, Nigeria—A Preliminary Study. Open Journal of Gastroenterology, 10(11), 301–310. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojgas.2020.1011029

Almehdawi, K. A., & Ali, R. H. (2016). The Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Benghazi, Libya. IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences, 15(07), 73–77. https://doi.org/10.9790/0853-150787377.

Assir, A. M. (2025). Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Among Outpatients at Al-Khadra Hospital, Tripoli: A Cross-Sectional Study. Derna Academy Journal for Applied Sciences, 4(2), 101-105.

Emmanuel, B. N., Peter, D. A., Peter, M. O., Adedayo, I. S., & Olaifa, K. (2024). Helicobacter pylori infection in Africa: comprehensive insight into its pathogenesis, management, and future perspectives. Journal of Umm Al-Qura University for Applied Sciences 2024 11:2, 11(2), 378–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43994-024-00166-6.

FORMAN, D., De Backer, G., ELDER, J., MOLLER, H., DAMOTTA, L., ROY, P., ABID, L., TJONNELAND, A., BOEING, H., HAUBRICH, T., WAHRENDORF, J., MANOUSOS, O., KAFATOS, A., TULINIUS, H., OGMUNDSDOTTIR, H., PALLI, D., CIPRIANI, F., FUKAO, A., TSUGANE, S., COLEMAN, M. (1993). EPIDEMIOLOGY OF, AND RISK-FACTORS FOR, HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION AMONG 3194 ASYMPTOMATIC SUBJECTS IN 17 POPULATIONS. GUT, 34(12), 1672–1676. http://hdl.handle.net/1854/LU-203781.

Jayte, M. (2023). Scoping Review of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Somalia: Epidemiology and Risk Factors. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202310.0627.v1

Li, Y., Choi, H., Leung, K., Jiang, F., Graham, D. Y., & Leung, W. K. (2023). Global prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection between 1980 and 2022: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 8(6), 553–564. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-1253(23)00070-5

Melese, A., Genet, C., Zeleke, B., & Andualem, T. (2019). Helicobacter pylori infections in Ethiopia; prevalence and associated factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Gastroenterology 2019 19:1, 19(1), 8-. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-018-0927-3.

Mousa, N., Khalil, G., & Ahmadi, S. I. (2025). Clinical, Microbiological, and Hematological Assessment of Vibrio Infection in Flathead Grey Mullet (Mugil cephalus) Near the Port Benghazi, Libya. Derna Academy Journal for Applied Sciences, 4(2), 106-116.

Najia Mahdawi, Ibrahim Karim, & Najat Alaswad. (2024). Study of Correlation between H. pylori, Life Habits, and Risk Factors among Adult Patients in Gharyan, Libya. AlQalam Journal of Medical and Applied Sciences, 1141–1145. https://doi.org/10.54361/ajmas.247433

Nasri, P., Saneian, H., Famoori, F., Khademian, M., Salehi, F., Nasri, P., Saneian, H., Famoori, F., Khademian, M., Salehi, F., Nasri, P., Saneian, H., Famoori, F., Khademian, M., Salehi, F., Nasri, P., Saneian, H., Famoori, F., Khademian, M., … Salehi, F. (2022). Is Helicobacter pylori Infection Prevalent in Middle East Countries? Archives of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2022 17:6, 17(6), e123364. https://doi.org/10.5812/archcid-123364

Omosor, K. I., Omosor, O. H., Ibeh, I. N., Adejumo, B. I. G., Abdulkadir, U. I., Dimkpa, U., Uchuno, G. A., Oke, O. M., Abdulkadir, R. L., Hamidu, M. V., Emmanuel, A. M., Omosor, K. I., Omosor, O. H., Ibeh, I. N., Adejumo, B. I. G., Abdulkadir, U. I., Dimkpa, U., Uchuno, G. A., Oke, O. M., … Emmanuel, A. M. (2017). Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Risk Factors among Asymptomatic Subjects in Delta State, Nigeria. Advances in Microbiology, 7(9), 641–652. https://doi.org/10.4236/aim.2017.79050

PD, M., & KJS, K. (2020). Seroprevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Infection among Patients with Gastroduodenal Disorders in Erbil City | Diyala Journal of Medicine. DJM. https://doi.org/10.26505/DJM.18014880818

Polse, R., Hasan, H., Khalid, H., & Mero, W. (2024). Detection of Helicobacter pylori using non-invasive techniques in Duhok City, Iraq. The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine 2024 36:1, 36(1), 113-. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43162-024-00380-y

Sabah, A. A. l., Gneidy, M. R. ate., & Saleh, N. M. ostaf. K. (2015). Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among adult patients with different gastrointestinal parasites in Tanta City district. Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 45(1), 101–106. https://doi.org/10.12816/0010855

Tshibangu-Kabamba, E., Phuc, B. H., Tuan, V. P., Fauzia, K. A., Kabongo-Tshibaka, A., Kayiba, N. K., Rosas-Aguirre, A., Devleesschauwer, B., Cimuanga-Mukanya, A., Kisoko, P. de J. N., Matsumoto, T., Akada, J., Disashi, G. T., Ngoyi, D. M., Kido, Y., Speybroeck, N., & Yamaoka, Y. (2021). Assessment of the diagnostic accuracy and relevance of a novel elisa system developed for seroepidemiologic surveys of helicobacter pylori infection in african settings. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 15(9), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009763

• pdf

Copyright (c) 2026 Salem Mohamed Ebraiek , Saad Aboualkasem , Mohammed Abdulaziz AlGhazali , Fatimah Ramadhan Jibreel, Eman Meftah Igzit (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.