Helicobacter pylori infection

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, helical rod that colonizes human gastric mucosa. Its discovery has opened new opportunities in the understating and management of gastrointestinal disorders. In humans, infection of H. pylori has been established as a major cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer, and is important in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Bacterial and host factors determine the outcome of H. pylori infection. The eradication of H. pylori can, therefore, contribute to the treatment and prevention of these diseases. Invasive tests for the diagnosis of H. pylori utilize endoscopic biopsies, taken for the rapid urease test, histology or culture. Non-invasive tests comprise urea breath test, serology and stool antigen test. Since each test has advantages and disadvantages, selection should be done after understanding of the characteristics of these tests.