Extradigestive manifestations of Helicobacter pylori gastric infection

Abstract

In the past year, several studies have been carried out on the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and a miscellany of extradigestive diseases, such as cardiovascular, immunological, and various other pathologies. In particular, a higher prevalence of H pylori infection in patients affected by ischaemic heart disease has been described and there is growing evidence for an association between H pylori and some autoimmune diseases. Moreover, recent studies have shown that various helicobacter species have been detected in human bile; if confirmed, this finding could revise the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to diseases of the biliary tract.

Figure 1

Schematic representation of the substances released by the immune system following gastric colonisation by Helicobacter pylori. TNF, tumour necrosis factor; PAF, platelet activating factor; LT, leukotriene; PG, prostaglandin; IL, interleukin; INF, interferon.