This is a spiral, rod shaped organism which can be cultured from the stomach of duodenal ulcer patients in approximately 90 percent of cases. Those patients with gastric ulcers have this infection in 70-80 percent of cases. By eradicating the Helicobacter pylori infection , the recurrence rates of peptic ulcer disease markedly diminish. Edification of the Helicobacter pylori can be performed by a variety of different diagnostic tests. These include a breath test, evaluation at endoscopy with a biopsy test, staining and culture. Blood serology can also assist identification of infection with Helicobacter pylori.
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in healthy individuals depends upon age and the birth country of the individual. Infection is usually acquired in childhood. Blood tests from developing nations seem to indicate that most children are infected by the age of 10. This is different from developed countries where patients acquire the infection later in life. In the US, prevalence of this infection also varies according to ethnic groups. Black African Americans have the highest incidence of Helicobacter pylori. Hispanic and white populations are the next most common races who are infected with H. Pylori. The rate of acquisition for adults in developed countries is approximately ½ percent per year.
Transmission of Helicobacter pylori is thought to occur through water. Pets have also been shown to have Helicobacter pylori. In essence, the transmission mechanism of Helicobacter pylori remains unclear. Possible mechanisms include fecal oral transmission, oral transmission (i.e. saliva) and gesture-oral mechanism (i.e. patients undergoing endoscopic evaluation or placement of naso-gastric tubes). Multiple routes of infection could occur in a single population.
Pathology of Helicobacter Pylori
Once an acute infection has occurred, an intense inflammation of the stomach occurs. The acute infection then develops into a chronic infection associated with gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers and lymphoma of the stomach.
Diseases associated with Helicobacter pylori infection include:
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Chronic atrophic gastritis |
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Gastric adenocarcinoma |
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Duodenal ulcers |
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Gastric ulcers |
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Lymphomas of the stomach |
Multiple treatment regimens are available. In most cases, a combination of 2 or 3, and possibly 4 in some cases, may be required. In general, these medications need to be taken for approximately 10-14 days. The major difficulty associated with treatment of Helicobacter pylori is compliance with this regimen. In most cases, the Helicobacter pylori can be eradicated in approximately 90 percent of cases if compliance with medication is completed.
Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) has been associated with the recurrence of peptic ulcers. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori is strongly recommended in any patient with a history of ulcers, either past or present. Many regimens can be used to eradicate the helicobacter pylori. Consultation with your physician is strongly recommended in order to identify a particular regimen which will be useful for your individual case. Knowledge of your medical problems, allergies to medications will be necessary to select an appropriate regimen for your particular case.
A simple, high effective, non-invasive breath test is available at Colorado Center for Digestive Disorders which accurately diagnoses the presence of active infection with H. Pylori. If you wish to schedule an appointment for this study, please call the office at 303.776.6115. No consultation is required prior to this procedure. The results are available within 24 hours. These will be faxed to your primary care physician if you have not seen one of the physicians at Colorado Center for Digestive Disorders.
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