title: Gastric MALT-lymphoma and Helicobacter pylori infection.
abstract: The presence of lymphoid tissue in the gastric mucosa is virtually pathognomonic of Helicobacter pylori infection. This lymphoid tissue has mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) characteristics suggesting that H. pylori infection may represent a stimulus for the growth of gastric MALT lymphoma. H. pylori can be detected in more than 90% of patients with low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma supporting the aetiological role of the organism. The strongest evidence for the significance of H. pylori in the pathogenesis of low aetological-grade gastric MALT lymphoma is provided by clinical studies showing that cure of H. pylori infection is followed by a complete regression of these tumours in most patients. This paper reviews the current knowledge about antibacterial treatment of low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma, and immunological and molecular aspects in the pathogenesis of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University of Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bayerdörffer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miehlke
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neubauer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stolte
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002455:Cell Division; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000145:classification; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents