Prevalence of the CagA Virulence Factor Varies by Race Among Helicobacter Pylori -Infected Patients Undergoing Upper Endoscopy

Introduction: We designed a race-conscious study to assess the presence of Helicobacter pylori v irulence factor cagA in a retrospective cohort of patients with active H. pylori infection.

Methods: We compared cagA status by race in gastric tissue samples from 473 patients diagnosed with active H. pylori infection from 2015 to 2019.

Results: H. pylori + Black patients were 2 times more likely to be cagA + than H. pylori + White patients (82% vs 36%, P < .0001).

Discussion: Presence of cagA is common among endoscopy patients with active H. pylori infection; appropriate testing and treatment of H. pylori can both reduce gastric cancer risk and address health disparities.