Helicobacter pylori infection leads to gastritis that can evolve into severe forms of ulceration and malignant transformation. Its diagnosis is most often invasive. Our
study aim was to characterize by a non-invasive method, Helicobacter pylori virulence genes iceA, oipA, and cagE in stool samples from Burkina Faso. This
cross-sectional study took place from September 2020 to February 2021 and involved 250 patients. Each patient provided a stool sample, which was used to
perform an Helicobacter pylori antigenic detection test and molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect its virulence genes cagE, iceA, and oipA.
The results showed a Helicobacter pylori infection rate of 89.6%. The virulence genes cagE, iceA1, iceA2, and oipA frequencies were 75.4%, 3.12%, 3.12%,
and1.78% respectively. Our bacterial population had only one iceA genotype. The cagE gene was significantly linked with H. pylori infection (p-value=0.001). We
also found a significant association between the iceA2 gene and a risk factor, with a (p-Value= 0.01). Conclusion: Our study is one of the first characterizing cagE,
iceA1, iceA2, and oipA virulence genes of Helicobacter pylori in Burkina Faso. It suggests that virulence genes can be tested in stool as an on-invasive method.

Helicobacter pylori, PCR, cagE, iceA, oipA, stool sample, Burkina Faso