The role of Helicobacter pylori in gastritis and its progression to peptic ulcer disease.
Helicobacter pylori infection is now recognized as the major cause of chronic gastritis throughout the world. A fraction of infected persons develop peptic ulcer disease or gastric cancer, accounting for its clinical significance. The pathophysiology of this infection can be better understood by considering five central concepts--heterogeneity of strains, persistence of infection, immunological down-regulation, physiological consequences and variability in outcome. Microbial, host and environmental factors must each contribute to the outcome variation.
D018450:Disease Progression; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005756:Gastritis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction