H. Pylori Infection
Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach. It is the most common cause of gastritis and peptic ulcers. It can also cause stomach cancer. There are typically no symptoms with infection, but symptoms may include indigestion and pain in the upper abdomen.
H. Pylori Infection falls under theGut Healthcategory.
Last Updated:October 13, 2024
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a pathogenic bacterium that colonizes the human stomach; it affects approximately 50% of adults globally. Although it is often asymptomatic, H. pylori infection is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer.
H. pylori infection is often asymptomatic, but it can lead to gastritis or peptic ulcers, which may cause intermittent abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, and unintentional weight loss.
H. pylori infections can be diagnosed using blood, breath, and stool tests. An endoscopy may also be performed to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine for inflammation and ulcers.
H. pylori infections are typically treated with a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors, sometimes including bismuth. Due to antibiotic resistance, successful eradication often necessitates multiple treatment rounds or combinations.
When combined with conventional treatment, probiotics (especially those with Lactobacillus) and synbiotics may enhance H. pylori eradication rates and reduce side effects. High-dose vitamin C and cranberry juice show potential benefits, whereas vitamin E, N-acetylcysteine, and curcumin seem ineffective in enhancing eradication rates.
Higher salt intake may increase the risk of H. pylori-related gastric cancer, whereas higher fruit and vegetable intake may lower that risk.
Professional dental cleaning and daily oral hygiene may enhance H. pylori treatment by removing plaque that harbors the bacteria, thereby lowering reinfection risk.
H. pylori infection may be transmitted through unclean water and food or through contact with infected bodily fluids like saliva.
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H. pylori infection is associated with reduced gastric microbiome diversity, increased opportunistic pathogens, fewer beneficial microbes, and functional changes like disrupted microbial interactions and increased biofilm formation.
H. pylori infection is associated with less diverse gastric (stomach) microbiota, higher relative proportions of opportunistic pathogens (microbes that can cause disease with the right conditions), and lower proportions of beneficial microbes.[17][2]
It’s also linked to some functional changes, including a reduction in microbial interactions and higher levels of gastric biofilm formation (which makes it harder to treat by reducing the impact of antibiotics).[2]
Some or all of these changes may explain the relationship between H. pylori infection and gastric cancer.[17][2]
H. pylori infection is associated with a higher risk of hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, subclinical atherosclerosis, and, potentially, irritable bowel syndrome.
People with H. pylori infections are more likely to have or develop hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and subclinical atherosclerosis. H. pylori infection may also increase the risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but more research is needed to confirm this association.[18][19][20][21][22]
H. pylori treatment may help to reduce IBS symptoms and is also associated with a reduced risk of gastric cancer. Some research shows that eradication therapy could increase the risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease, but other research suggests it has no effect.[22][23]
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- ^Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Tests
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