Helicobacter Pylori and Peptic Ulcer Disease

Helicobacter pylori and Peptic Ulcer Disease

• Helicobacter pylori is a primary causative agent of peptic ulcer disease, responsible for the majority of duodenal and gastric ulcers.
• The bacterium infects the stomach and duodenum, leading to chronic inflammation and mucosal damage, which creates an environment conducive to ulcer formation.

Treatment Strategy

• Eradication therapy is the most effective treatment strategy against Helicobacter pylori, involving a combination of antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, and bismuth salts.
• This treatment approach eliminates the bacterium, leading to ulcer healing and preventing recurrence.

Consequences of Untreated Infection

• Untreated Helicobacter pylori infection can lead to the development of recurrent and refractory peptic ulcers, which can cause significant morbidity and mortality.
• Chronic infection can also increase the risk of gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.