Speaking at NIMR’s monthly media chat in Lagos on Tuesday, Prof. Smith, who also heads the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology department, explained that H. pylori is a bacterium responsible for gastritis and peptic ulcers. While the infection is treatable with antibiotics, she warned that years of antibiotic misuse have contributed to its widespread resistance, particularly in Nigeria’s northern regions, where prevalence is highest.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 50 to 75 percent of people are infected with H. pylori, with higher rates in developing nations.
“H. pylori can be cured with a combination of two antibiotics taken over 10 to 14 days,” Prof. Smith said. “However, many patients stop taking their medication after just a few days once they feel better, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance.”
She highlighted findings from a seven-year study she led, funded by the German Research Foundation, which analyzed over 1,000 biopsies. The study revealed that 95 percent of H. pylori strains in Nigeria are resistant to Flagyl (Metronidazole), a common antibiotic used to treat the infection.
“Flagyl is widely used for infections like diarrhea, but its misuse has led to dangerously high resistance levels,” she added.
Prof. Smith also emphasized that children under the age of 10 are susceptible to H. pylori infection, making accurate diagnosis and proper treatment critical.
Despite the high prevalence of H. pylori in Nigeria, she noted that cases of gastric cancer—one of its potential complications—remain relatively low in the country.
As a preventive measure, she advised Nigerians to consume more vegetables and fruits while reducing their intake of spicy and canned foods, which could increase the risk of H. pylori infection.