Helicobacter pylori infection and autoimmune processes: an emerging field of study

Evidence is accumulating that Helicobacter pylori infection may be closely associated with autoimmunity. However, whether autoimmunity plays a causal role in the pathogenesis of some of the diseases attributed to this bacteri um or whether it is rather an epiphenomenon remains to be determined. In th is brief review, a summary is made of current knowledge regarding the poten tial general mechanisms by which Helicobacter pylori causes mucosal damage. A review is then made of the evidence linking this bacterium to the produc tion of different gastric autoantibodies. Finally, the reported association between helicobacter pylori infection and some known autoimmune diseases i s discussed. Although the data are still not sufficiently complete to draw definite conclusions, autoimmunity appears to be an important aspect of thi s infection and will certainly become a major field of study in the next fe w years.