RESUMO
Background: The genes cagA and vacA encode H pylori virulence factors. Aim: To genotype these genes in H pylori strains isolated from patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Material and methods: We studied 50 patients who underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, with positive culture for H pylori. Detection of cagA and vacA gerotyping was done using polymerase chain reactions. Results: The gene cagA was detected in 19 samples (38 per cent). Signal sequences s1 and s2 of vacA gene were detected in 16 samples each (32 per cent). There was simultaneous amplification of s1 and s2 in 6 samples and they were not detected in 9 samples. The middle region of vacA was m1 in 9 samples, m2 in 29 samples and there was simultaneous amplification of m1 and m2 in 12 samples. In 16 samples (32 per cent), more than one type of signal sequence or medial region was detected. Of those patients in whom vacA was the only genotype detected, 15 were s2/m2, 7 were s1/m1, 4 were s1/m2 and 1 was s2/m1. Conclusions: In these patients, the infection with cagA- H pylori strains, predominates, the prevalence of infection with s1 or s2 strains is similar and the predominant medial region is m2