Helicobacter pylori: Current chemotherapy and new targets for drug design

Helicobacter pylori infection is a major cause of many diseases of the gast rointestinal tract, including gastritis, non-ulcer dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancers. It is estimated that more than half of the hu man race is affected by this organism. Although effective treatments are av ailable which will eliminate the organism in about 90% of cases in develope d countries, the pandemic occurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection coupl ed with its ability to develop resistance to our current arsenal of antimic robial regimens and subsequently reinfect patients makes the pathogenic pot ential of this microorganism a major global health concern. Provided is a r eview of the current and evolving therapeutic regimens used in the eradicat ion of Helicobacter pylori, the difficulties associated with in vitro drug screening, as well as potentially new therapeutic targets. In addition, the discovery, the unique physiology, biochemistry, and pathogenicity of this remarkable microorganism is examined.