Vaccination against Helicobacter pylori - an old companion of man

Helicobacter pylori infection induces an important systemic and mucosal ant ibody response and a predominant Th1 cellular response. These immune respon ses, although powerful, fail to eliminate the infection. Studies in animals have shown that prophylactic and therapeutic immunisations are efficacious , although complete protective immunity has usually not been achieved. Init ial human trials with recombinant urease showed that a mucosal immune respo nse can be obtained following immunisations, with a decrease in bacterial d ensity, but successful immunisation is still awaited. Progress is being mad e in several areas of vaccine design. A human vaccine against H. pylori wou ld be favourable in terms of health benefits and costs in developed and dev eloping countries.