NIMR’s Prof. Stella Smith Warns of Rising H. Pylori Infections and Antibiotic Resistance

• Rising Infections and Antibiotic Resistance: Prof. Stella Smith of NIMR reports a significant increase in H. pylori cases in Nigeria, with the bacterium showing resistance to common antibiotics like Flagyl.
• Children Now at Risk: Once prevalent among adults, H. pylori is now being diagnosed in children under 10, signaling a concerning shift in infection patterns.
• African Research Collaboration: In response to the growing threat, Prof. Smith has established a continental research body to enhance collaboration, develop better treatments, and combat H. pylori across Africa.

Professor Stella Smith of the Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) has raised concerns about the increasing prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections in the country

Speaking during a recent media briefing held at the institute’s boardroom, she provided detailed insights into the spread of the disease and the challenges in its treatment.

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H. pylori is a bacterium that infects the stomach lining, often leading to gastritis, stomach ulcers, and in severe cases, stomach cancer. According to Prof. Smith, recent research indicates a significant rise in H. pylori infections across different regions of Nigeria.

While antibiotics remain the primary method of treatment, she warned that the bacterium has developed resistance to commonly used medications, including Flagyl (metronidazole), making treatment more difficult.

Prof. Smith noted that the disease, once commonly associated with adults, is now increasingly being diagnosed in children under the age of 10.

This shift, she explained, suggests changing patterns of transmission and highlights the urgent need for better public health interventions, early diagnosis, and new treatment approaches.

Concerned by the growing public health threat posed by H. pylori, Prof. Smith has taken a proactive approach by establishing a collaborative research body uniting scientists across Africa.

This initiative is aimed at fostering cooperation, advancing scientific research, and developing more effective treatments to combat H. pylori infections across the continent.

She emphasized that increasing public awareness and promoting proper hygiene practices are crucial to preventing the spread of the bacterium. Additionally, she called for enhanced investment in medical research to tackle antibiotic resistance and improve patient outcomes.

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As H. pylori continues to pose serious health challenges, Prof. Smith urged the government and stakeholders to prioritize research funding and public health education to curb its spread and protect vulnerable populations.

 

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