Role of Helicobacter pylori infection in extragastroduodenal disorders: Introductory remarks

Numerous studies initiated by Warren and Marshall in 1982 confirmed the cru cial role of H. pylori infection in the pathogenesis of gastritis, peptic u lcer and possibly also gastric cancer leading to reappraisal of fundamental concept of gastric pathophysiology. These topics were covered, in part, by our previous H. pylori-related symposium I (1995), II (1997) and III (1999 ) organized in Cracow. H. pylori is one of the most frequent causes of gast roduodenal infection worldwide, resulting in the release of various bacteri al and host dependent cytotoxic substances including ammonia, platelet acti vating factor (PAF), cytotoxins and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as well as cy tokines such as interleukins (IL)-1-12, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF(al pha), interferon gamma (INF gamma) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recen tly, several extradigestive pathologies have been linked to H. pylori infec tion including cardiovascular, cutaneous, autoimmune, esophageal and other diseases such as sideropenic anemia, growth retardation, extragastric MALT- lymphoma etc. The potential role of H. pylori infection in the pathogenesis of these extradigestive disorders gas been based on facts that 1. local ga stric Inflammation may exert systemic effects, 2. chronic infection of gast ric mucosa induces immune responses that are able to cause the lesions remo te to primary site of infection and 3. H. pylori eradication improves the e xtradigestive disorders. The aim of present III International Symposium is to provide critical reviews based on personal experience and the available literature about extragastric manifestations of H. pylori infection. The ul timate goal of this symposium is to foster interdisciplinary research and e xchange of opinion about the possible involvement of N. pylori in extradige stive pathologies.