EPIYA Motif Genetic Characterization from Isolates in Distinct Geographical Regions of Iran.

Background: This study aimed to determine the current EPIYA motifs of the A gene in isolates from patients with gastric disorders, and evaluate the association between these patterns and the clinical outcome of infection in different geographical regions of Iran.

Materials And Methods: We examined 150 patients with gastrointestinal disorders from the central and eastern regions of Iran. The detection of and screening of A was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The pattern of the motifs was determined by PCR followed by sequencing.

Results: The overall prevalence of was 66.3% in eastern (Mashad) and 50.6% in the central (Isfahan) part of Iran. The frequency of A-positive strains in Mashad and Isfahan were 63.4% and 56.7%, respectively. The pattern of EPIYA motif was as follows: 43 (79.6%) ABC, 7 (12.9%) AB, 4 (7.4%) ABCC, and one (1.9%) ABCCC. We also identified a novel EPIYA C sequence motif which showed association with gastric cancer (GC). The relationship between the frequency of specific EPIYA motifs and GC was statistically significant ( < 0.05).

Conclusions: This is the first report for the determination of the A EPIYA motif of in the Northeast and center of Iran. The prevalence of A positive between the two regions was significant ( ≤ 0.05). All isolates of the A were western type (ABC). The increase in the number of EPIYA-C repeats was associated with GC ( ≤ 0.01).