Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped, gram-negative pathogen that causes chronic gastritis and is responsible for most duodenal ulcers. Infection with this bacterium is a major risk factor for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma and MALT-type gastric lymphoma (Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue – MALT).

Recent studies show that Helicobacter pylori also participates in the pathogenesis of other diseases, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, coronary artery disease, iron deficiency anemia, rheumatic diseases, some dermatological conditions, etc.

Helicobacter Pylori – Risk Factors

The source of infection is humans, and transmission occurs through the fecal-oral and oral-oral routes. The bacterium has been isolated from the feces, saliva, and dental plaque of infected individuals. When it reaches the stomach, it causes changes in the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). The bacteria attack the protective tissue lining the stomach, leading to the release of certain enzymes and toxins. These enzymes and toxins can directly or indirectly damage the cells of the stomach and duodenum, causing chronic inflammation of the stomach walls (gastritis) or duodenum (duodenitis).

What is Helicobacter pylori?

Helicobacter pylori is the most common infection in the world, and its prevalence is closely related to socioeconomic status and age. The highest prevalence is observed in developing countries, where it has colonized 70% to 90% of the population, with most of the infection occurring before the age of 10. In contrast, in developed countries, the prevalence of colonization is relatively low during childhood but reaches around 45% in older adults.

Helicobacter Pylori Symptoms

The most common symptoms include:

• Heartburn
• Abdominal bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Indigestion
• Loss of appetite, and consequently, weight loss
• Presence of blood in the stool
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Skin changes

However, for many infected people, this type of infection occurs without symptoms. Only a small number of people develop symptomatic gastritis, ulcers, and more rarely, stomach cancer. The question arises: why does the infection progress to gastritis, ulcers, cancer, and other duodenal diseases in some people, but not in others?

It seems that it depends, on one hand, on ecological factors, the host factors (the person), and the bacteria themselves, i.e., factors related to the virulence of the bacteria.

Diagnosis

There are several non-invasive laboratory techniques to confirm the presence of Helicobacter pylori, including:

• Blood test – detection and quantification of specific antibodies (types of proteins) in the blood, IgA and IgG, which the immune system produces in response to Helicobacter pylori infection.
• Fecal test – detection of Helicobacter pylori antigens in the feces (stool).
• Urea breath test

Non-invasive tests are most commonly used, especially serological (blood) tests and antigen detection in feces.

If any of the above tests confirm a Helicobacter pylori infection, the patient should undergo therapy, which typically involves using several medications simultaneously.

Most patients are cured after one to two weeks. After therapy is completed, a stool test or urea breath test is usually performed to verify if the treatment was successful.

For further information, consult your physician.