title: Helicobacter pylori virulence and genetic geography.
abstract: Isolated for the first time in 1982 from human gastric biopsy, Helicobacter pylori is responsible for gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. A pathogenicity island acquired by horizontal transfer, coding for a type IV secretion system, is a major determinant of virulence. The infection is now treated with antibiotics, and vaccines are in preparation. The geographic distribution suggests coevolution of man and Helicobacter pylori.
authors.affiliation: IRIS, Chiron SpA, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Covacci
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Telford
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Del Giudice
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parsonnet
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rappuoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002648:Child; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology; D013270:Stomach / Q000382:microbiology*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D001428:Bacterial Vaccines