Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter Pylori is a bacterium that takes root in the lining of the stomach and causing an inflammation. It is strongly associated with causing diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract and is found in the vast majority of people suffering from gastric and duodenal ulcers. The term peptic ulcers cover ulcers in the lower gullet as well as those in the stomach and duodenum. It is likely to affect in 1 in 10 adults at some point in their lives. However not everyone infected with Helicobacter pylori will develop a peptic ulcer.

Helicobacter Pylori has also been implicated as a risk factor in the development of stomach cancer. There is also a weak association with Helicobacter Pylori and the common condition non-ulcer dyspepsia. The diagnosis of infection by Helicobacter Pylori can be made by invasive investigations such as endoscopy and by more acceptable and less invasive investigations such as breath tests as well as blood tests.

Treatment is by a short course consisting of a cocktail of antibiotics and drugs whose role is designed to reduce the acid secretory functions of the stomach. Effective treatment can successfully eradicate the infection in a substantial majority of people. The implications are important. Those people with gastric or duodenal ulcers whose Helicobacter infections are treated have a substantially reduced chance of a relapse of their condition. As well as having obvious symptomatic benefit to the individual, there is also an economic benefit to the country.

Knowledge about the bacterium is evolving all the time but there is no doubt that it has an important role to play in some disorders of the upper gut. The easy diagnosis of Helicobacter Pylori will be of great clinical benefit.

For more information read the British Medical Journal Helicobacter collection at http://www.bmj.com/cgi/collection/helicobacter_pylori

By Doctor Harry Brown

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