Helicobacter pylori: Infection and Transmission

H. pylori: Overview

• Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach and duodenum (first part of the small intestine)
• Gram-negative, spiral-shaped, microaerophilic bacterium

Transmission and Epidemiology

• Transmission: person-to-person, through fecal-oral route, or through contaminated food and water
• Prevalence: affects approximately 50% of the world's population, more common in developing countries
• Age: infection often occurs in childhood, and once infected, individuals typically remain infected for life

Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

• Urease enzyme: breaks down urea into ammonia, which helps H. pylori survive in acidic stomach environment
• Inflammation: causes chronic inflammation in the stomach, leading to gastritis and damage to the stomach lining
• Clinical features: asymptomatic in many cases, but can cause:
  • Gastritis
  • Peptic ulcers
  • Dyspepsia
  • Gastric cancer (increased risk)

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Diagnosis:
  • Urea breath test
  • Endoscopy with biopsy
  • Serological tests (e.g., ELISA)
• Treatment:
  • Antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, clarithromycin)
  • Proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole)
  • Eradication therapy: combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors

Complications and Prevention

• Complications: gastric cancer, MALT lymphoma, atrophic gastritis
• Prevention: good hygiene practices, avoidance of contaminated food and water, and early treatment of infected individuals

H.pylori: Overview

• Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that infects the stomach and duodenum, causing inflammation and damage to the stomach lining.
• It is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped, microaerophilic bacterium.

Transmission and Epidemiology

• H.pylori is transmitted from person-to-person through the fecal-oral route or through contaminated food and water.
• The bacterium affects approximately 50% of the world's population, with a higher prevalence in developing countries.
• Infection usually occurs in childhood, and once infected, individuals typically remain infected for life.

Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

• H.pylori's urease enzyme breaks down urea into ammonia, helping the bacterium survive in the acidic stomach environment.
• The bacterium causes chronic inflammation in the stomach, leading to gastritis and damage to the stomach lining.
• Clinical features of H.pylori infection may be asymptomatic, but can also cause gastritis, peptic ulcers, dyspepsia, and increase the risk of gastric cancer.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Diagnosis of H.pylori infection can be made through:
  • Urea breath test
  • Endoscopy with biopsy
  • Serological tests (e.g., ELISA)
• Treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, clarithromycin) and proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole) to eradicate the bacterium.

Complications and Prevention

• Complications of H.pylori infection include gastric cancer, MALT lymphoma, and atrophic gastritis.
• Prevention of H.pylori infection involves good hygiene practices, avoiding contaminated food and water, and early treatment of infected individuals.