title: Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer: Indian enigma.
abstract: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram negative microaerophilic bacterium which resides in the mucous linings of the stomach. It has been implicated in the causation of various gastric disorders including gastric cancer. The geographical distribution and etiology of gastric cancer differ widely in different geographical regions and H. pylori, despite being labeled as a grade I carcinogen, has not been found to be associated with gastric cancer in many areas. Studies in Asian countries such as Thailand, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabian countries, Israel and Malaysia, have reported a high frequency of H. pylori infection co-existing with a low incidence of gastric cancer. In India, a difference in the prevalence of H. pylori infection and gastric cancer has been noted even in different regions of the country leading to a puzzle when attempting to find the causes of these variations. This puzzle of H. pylori distribution and gastric cancer epidemiology is known as the Indian enigma. In this review we have attempted to explain the Indian enigma using evidence from various Indian studies and from around the globe. This review covers aspects of epidemiology, the various biological strains present in different parts of the country and within individuals, the status of different H. pylori-related diseases and the molecular pathogenesis of the bacterium.
authors.affiliation: Vatsala Misra, Department of Pathology, Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad 211002, India.
authors.forename: Vatsala
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Misra
authors.affiliation: Vatsala Misra, Department of Pathology, Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad 211002, India.
authors.forename: Renu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.affiliation: Vatsala Misra, Department of Pathology, Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad 211002, India.
authors.forename: Sri Prakash
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Misra
authors.affiliation: Vatsala Misra, Department of Pathology, Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad 211002, India.
authors.forename: Manisha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dwivedi
mesh_terms: D004032:Diet; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005843:Geography; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class; D013045:Species Specificity; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: Carcinogen; Gastric cancer; Gastric diseases; Helicobacter pylori; p53 mutation