Helicobacter pylori is a major public health priority in western Balkans: an endoscopy referral center experience

Review of Research on Routes of Helicobacter pylori Infection

In recent years, many scholars conducted in-depth research onHelicobacter pyloriand identified it as an important pathogen of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer.H. pylorialso causes also and contributes to precancerous lesions (atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia) and is closely related to occurrence and development of gastric adenocarcinoma and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoma. This study summarizes biological characteristics, epidemic status, and infection route ofH. pyloriand reviews research on roles of natural environments, especially drinking water, during infection.

Helicobacter pylori infection in Europe: current perspectives

There is a commonly held perception that Helicobacter pylori related diseases are declining, however these are still associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. In recent years worrying themes have emerged such as increasing levels of antibiotic resistance and falling cure rates which illustrate there is no room for complacency with respect to H. pylori. In addition there are many significant issues which have not been elucidated regarding the role played by H. pylori in very serious pathologies such as gastric and esophageal cancer and other more benign disorders common in the developed world such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional dyspepsia and perhaps obesity which carry a significant impact both economically and as regards to symptoms. Future guidelines aimed at European practitioners and patients will need to address the questions raised by these issues as well as the more familiar areas such as constituents and duration of therapy.

Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection and public health implications

This review summarizes studies on the epidemiology and public health implications of Helicobacter pylori published in peer-reviewed journals from April 2010 through March 2011. Prevalence rates vary widely between different geographical regions and ethnic groups. An interesting study from the USA identified the degree of African ancestry as an independent predictor of H. pylori infection. Two studies have demonstrated early childhood as the period of transmission of infection and identified an infected sibling as an important risk factor. An oral-oral route of spread has been substantiated with several studies showing the presence of H. pylori in the oral cavity. Studies have shown the presence of H. pylori in drinking water and the role of poor living conditions and sanitation in H. pylori infection, supporting an oral-fecal route of spread. Screening for H. pylori as a gastric cancer pre-screening strategy has been described in Japan, and the importance of H. pylori eradication as a gastric cancer-prevention strategy has now been further emphasized in Japanese guidelines. Two studies have shown a decrease in the burden of dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease with H. pylori eradication.

Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection and public health implications

This review summarizes studies on the epidemiology and public health implications of Helicobacter pylori published in peer-reviewed journals from April 2010 through March 2011. Prevalence rates vary widely between different geographical regions and ethnic groups. An interesting study from the USA identified the degree of African ancestry as an independent predictor of H. pylori infection. Two studies have demonstrated early childhood as the period of transmission of infection and identified an infected sibling as an important risk factor. An oral-oral route of spread has been substantiated with several studies showing the presence of H. pylori in the oral cavity. Studies have shown the presence of H. pylori in drinking water and the role of poor living conditions and sanitation in H. pylori infection, supporting an oral-fecal route of spread. Screening for H. pylori as a gastric cancer pre-screening strategy has been described in Japan, and the importance of H. pylori eradication as a gastric cancer-prevention strategy has now been further emphasized in Japanese guidelines. Two studies have shown a decrease in the burden of dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease with H. pylori eradication.