Helicobacter pylori recrudescence and its influencing factors

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is known as one of the most common infectious pathogens, with high infection and recurrence rates worldwide. The prevalence of H pylori is up to 90% in developing countries, while the annual recurrence rate is much higher than that in developed countries. Recurrence can occur either by recrudescence or reinfection. Compared with reinfection, the time window for recrudescence is generally shorter, followed by the recurrence of H pylori-associated diseases in the short-term. Many factors are involved in the H pylori reinfection, such as the prevalence of H pylori infection, living conditions and economic development, health conditions and so forth. Previous studies focused less on H pylori recrudescence. Therefore, the influencing factors for H pylori recrudescence needed further exploration. This study reviewed the recrudescence of H pylori infection and its influencing factors.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; colonization; influencing factors; recrudescence.

Figure 1

Influencing factors of Helicobacter pylori recrudescence. The factors involved in H pylori recrudescence can be roughly divided into two categories: (1) false‐negative results of the review (mainly in vivo factors); and (2) small amounts of unkilled H pylori or dormant H pylori lurking in the human body (mainly in vitro factors). H pylori itself is a major component of the in vivo factors including its oral colonization, biofilm formation and coccoid forms transformation. Re‐examination means and time, therapeutic scheme and treatment time window as in vitro intervention are also involved in H pylori recrudescence. Both in vivo and in vitro factors result in H pylori recrudescence