Helicobacter pylori: current perspectives

Abstract

Within the past decade, there has been an explosion of investigative activity and publications about Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Its role in gastroduodenal disease is becoming greater with definite etiologic association in chronic type B gastritis and a probable role in duodenal ulcer, a probable role in gastric ulcer, and possibly a factor in the development of interstitial type gastric carcinoma. Epidemiologic studies have shown H. pylori to be worldwide in distribution with higher prevalence rates and earlier initial infection rates in developing countries compared with industrialized nations. Person-to-person transmission appears to occur via the fecal-oral route. Pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated diseases remains unclear. We are, however, gaining insights into the role that H. pylori extracellular products play in damage to mucin and gastric epithelial cells as well as other gastroduodenal physiologic processes. Antimicrobial treatment, when effective, produces remission of mucosal pathologic changes and reduces duodenal recurrence rates. A major as yet unsolved problem is that there is no completely effective treatment regimen that consistently eradicates H. pylori in infected patients. Concepts of pathogenesis and future directions of research are discussed.