The dynamics of Helicobacter pylori infection of the human stomach

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a bacterial pathogen of the gastrointestinal tract of humans causing chronic superficial gastritis which persists for decades. The mechanism by which H. pylori is able to persist, despite environmental constraints, remains unknown. Therefore, a model is proposed describing the interactions of H. pylori with its host, involving an autoregulatory network in which inflammation leads to nutrient release. A determinist mathematical model examining the interactions necessary to maintain chronic infection indicates that this proposed autoregulatory network can produce steady-state solutions, and the model is robust in encompassing biological variations.