THE ROLE AND TREATMENT OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION IN PEPTIC-ULCER DISEASE - A REVIEW OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION AND PEPTIC-ULCER DISEASE

The role of Helicobacter pylori in the progress of peptic ulcer diseas e is reviewed. In Particular, the relationship between H. pylori infec tion and relapse rate is discussed, including an overview of current t heories regarding the mechanism of tissue damage induced by the organi sm. The relative merits of the recommended drug therapies are outlined , with emphasis on their effectiveness in removing H. pylori from the gastrointestinal tract, the risks of the development of resistant stra ins of the organism, the adverse effects of the therapies and the appr oaches that are likely to be adopted in the future.