Helicobacter pylori: Ulcers and more: The beginning of an era

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) maybe found in up to 50% of the world's pop ulation, making it the most common infectious disease worldwide. H. pylori is a gram-negative, microaerophilic rod with flagella and normally resides in the stomach. It can be diagnosed endoscopically, via breath tests, or th rough a simple blood test. H. pylori can usually be eradicated with a combi nation of proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics. Although most people infe cted with this organism never develop a complication, H. pylori infection i n others may produce significant mucosal inflammation leading to ulcers in the stomach and duodenum. H. pylori has also been recognized as a risk fact or for the development of both gastric carcinoma and mucosal-associated lym phoid tumor. Although not widely known, H. pylori can also affect organ sys tems outside of the gastrointestinal tract. It is now apparent that H. pylo ri can infect the skin, liver and heart and that these infections may produ ce a number of different disease states. In addition, H. pylori infection c an adversely affect the nutritional status of both children and adults. Thi s article discusses the epidemiology and bacteriology of H. pylori, reviews the different methods of diagnosing and treating this common infection, an d then focuses on the effects that H. pylori has on different organ systems within the body, including the nutritional status of those affected.