Helicobacter pylori babA2

Helicobacter pylori babA2 is a variant of the babA gene in Helicobacter pylori. Compared to the basic babA, babA2-encoded BabA2 protein has stronger binding affinity to Lewis b antigens, enhancing bacterial adhesion to gastric epithelial cells. This stronger adhesion makes the bacterium more likely to colonize and persist, increasing the risk of severe gastric diseases (e.g., gastric cancer). babA2 is a key virulence-related gene, and its detection helps assess disease risk. It is also a target for targeted interventions to reduce bacterial colonization and disease severity.