Pathophysiology of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.
Helicobacter pylori causes persistent infection and inflammation in the human stomach, yet only a small fraction of persons harboring this organism develop peptic ulcer disease. An important question is why this variation in infection outcome exists. Recent studies have demonstrated that H pylori isolates possess substantial phenotypic and genotypic diversity that may engender differential host inflammatory responses that influence clinical outcome. Further investigation in this field may help to define which H pylori-infected persons bear the highest risk for subsequent development of peptic ulcer disease, and thus enable physicians to focus eradication therapy.
Peek
R M
RM
Division of Gastroenterology, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.
Blaser
M J
MJ
D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005756:Gastritis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013270:Stomach / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology