Helicobacter pylori infection: a clinical overview.
BACKGROUND
Helicobcater pylori colonizes the stomach of more than half of the world's population, and the infection continues to play a key role in the pathogenesis of a number of gastroduodenal diseases. Colonization of the gastric mucosa with Helicobcater pylori results in the development of chronic gastritis in all infected individuals and in a subset of patients chronic gastritis progresses to complications (i.e. ulcer disease, gastric neoplasias, some distinct extragastric disorders). The clinical outcome of the disease is dependent on many variables, including Helicobcater pylori genotype, innate host physiology, genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Helicobcater pylori eradication decreases the incidence of gastroduodenal ulcer and prevents its recurrence. Helicobcater pylori eradication for gastric cancer prevention has been suggested by preclinical research and clinical trials, showing even reversibility of precancerous lesions (atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia) after Helicobcater pylori eradication.


OBJECTIVE
To review the current literature about H. pylori and its related pathologies.


CONCLUSIONS
At present, several clinical manifestations are recognized to be causally linked to Helicobcater pylori infection, and most of them can be cured by Helicobcater pylori eradication. Besides the relationship of Helicobcater pylori and gastroduodenal diseases, it has been well established that Helicobcater pylori infection is also involved in some extragastrointestinal diseases.
Kandulski
A
A
Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
Selgrad
M
M
Malfertheiner
P
P
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000382:microbiology; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000382:microbiology; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000382:microbiology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000382:microbiology; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000382:microbiology; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000382:microbiology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal