Helicobacter pylori and gastroduodenal ulcer disease

Overview of Helicobacter pylori Infection: Clinical Features, Treatment, and Nutritional Aspects

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a 0.5-1 µm wide, 2-4 µm long, short helical, S-shaped Gram-negative microorganism. It is mostly found in the pyloric region of the stomach and causes chronic gastric infection. It is estimated that these bacteria infect more than half of the world's population. The mode of transmission and infection of H. pylori is still not known exactly, but the faecal-oral and oral-oral routes via water or food consumption are thought to be a very common cause. In the last three decades, research interest has increased regarding the pathogenicity, microbial activity, genetic predisposition, and clinical treatments to understand the severity of gastric atrophy and gastric cancer caused by H. pylori. Studies have suggested a relationship between H. pylori infection and malabsorption of essential micronutrients, and noted that H. pylori infection may affect the prevalence of malnutrition in some risk groups. On the other hand, dietary factors may play a considerably important role in H. pylori infection, and it has been reported that an adequate and balanced diet, especially high fruit and vegetable consumption and low processed salty food consumption, has a protective effect against the outcomes of H. pylori infection. The present review provides an overview of all aspects of H. pylori infection, such as clinical features, treatment, and nutrition.

Epidemiologic characteristics of Helicobacter pylori infection in southeast Hungary

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic studies have revealed a decrease in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in Western Europe.

AIM

To obtain data regarding the prevalence of H. pylori in Csongrád and Békés Counties in Hungary, evaluate the differences in its prevalence between urban and rural areas, and establish factors associated with positive seroprevalence.

METHODS

One-thousand and one healthy blood donors [male/female: 501/500, mean age: 40 (19–65) years] were enrolled in this study. Subjects were tested for H. pylori IgG antibody positivity via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Subgroup analysis by age, gender, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, and urban vs non-urban residence was also performed.

RESULTS

The overall seropositivity of H. pylori was 32%. It was higher in males (34.93% vs 29.2%, P = 0.0521) and in rural areas (36.2% vs 27.94%, P = 0.0051). Agricultural/industrial workers were more likely to be positive for infection than office workers (38.35% vs 30.11%, P = 0.0095) and rural subjects in Békés County than those in Csongrád County (43.36% vs 33.33%, P = 0.0015).

CONCLUSION

Although the prevalence of H. pylori infection decreased in recent decades in Southeast Hungary, it remains high in middle-aged rural populations. Generally accepted risk factors for H. pylori positivity appeared to be valid for the studied population.

The Indications, Applications, and Risks of Proton Pump Inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are the most effective drugs for inhibiting gastric acid secretion. They have been in clinical use for more than 25 years, In 2014, 3.475 billion daily defined doses (DDD) of PPI were prescribed in Germany. This high number alone calls for a critical analysis of the spectrum of indications for PPI and their potential adverse effects.

METHODS

This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases, with particular emphasis on randomized, prospective multicenter trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and meta-analyses.

RESULTS

The inhibition of gastric acid secretion with PPI is successfully used for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and of gastric and duodenal ulcers, for the secondary prevention of gastroduodenal lesions that have arisen under treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetylsalicylic acid, and for the prevention of recurrent hemorrhage from ulcers after successful endoscopic hemostasis. PPI are given along with practically all antibiotic regimens for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection. The number of prescriptions for PPI has risen linearly over the past 25 years. As there has been no broadening of indications, one may well ask whether the current, extensive use of PPI is justified. There is evidence that patients taking PPI are at greater risk for fractures. Moreover, the vitamin B12 level should be checked occasionally in all patients taking PPI.

CONCLUSION

PPI are among the more effective drugs for the treatment of diseases associated with gastric acid. In view of their cost and potential adverse effects, they should only be prescribed for scientifically validated indications.

Gastroduodenal Changes Two Years After Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in a Population-Based Cohort

Background

The main cause of chronic gastritis is Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Some individuals with H. pylori-related chronic gastritis develop atrophy of the gastric mucosa, a risk factor for gastric neoplasia. When H. pylori-associated gastritis is encountered, it is important to be aware of its natural history and reversibility of associated histopathological and hormonal changes.

Methods

A sample of 501 volunteers from the general population in the municipality of Linkoping, Sweden, was examined with esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) with biopsy. Blood samples were collected in the fasting state and the subjects answered a questionnaire concerning lifestyle factors, medications and disease history. At a primary follow-up examination, after 8 years, 314 participants were re-examined and those infected with H. pylori received eradication. Two years after successful eradication therapy, 82 participants attended re-examination with EGD and blood sampling, as in the previous examinations.

Results

In this prospective cohort study of a sample of volunteers from the general population, all of the 82 participants had chronic gastritis with at least one positive H. pylori test before eradication therapy. During follow-up, non-steroid-inflammatory-drug (NSAID) use had decreased significantly (P = 0.007, McNemar). The H. pylori serology was still positive in 79/82 subjects (P = 0.007, McNemar). The basal gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK) concentrations both had decreased (P < 0.001 for both, Wilcoxon), whereas the P-somatostatin had increased (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon). Symptoms included in the self-administered symptom questionnaire concerned the last 3 months showed no big difference at all. The inflammation had decreased in both antrum (before 2/38/42/0 and after 60/22/0/0, P < 0.0001) and corpus (before 3/54/22/3 and after 58/23/1/0, P < 0.0001). Changes in the inflammatory activity had decreased significantly in both the antrum (P < 0.001) and the corpus (P < 0.001). Intestinal metaplasia was without changes. Regarding the duodenal bulb, the inflammation decreased.

Conclusions

Being aware of the natural history of chronic gastritis, even beyond eradication of H. pylori, is important because of the associations to gastric neoplasia and ulcer disease. The blood mirror of gastroduodenal parameters showed decreased values, except for somatostatin that increased and a symptomatology with no significant changes although, morphologically determined, both inflammation and atrophy had decreased.

[Aspirin desensitization: therapy options in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease]

Aspirin desensitization has established itself as an additional therapy option in the treatment of aspirin- exacerbated respiratory disease, recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps. Inpatient treatment is strongly recommended due to the risk of life-threatening side effects. In addition, the necessary requirements, indications and contraindications should be carefully considered from a medicolegal perspective. A maintenance dose of 300 (-500) mg ASS is currently recommended. Indications include persisting symptoms despite intensive medical care and/or recurrent nasal polyps, leading to recurrent sinus operations and/or the need to take systemic corticosteroids in order to control nasal symptoms or asthma. If ASS intake is interrupted for more than 48 h, aspirin desensitization should be resumed to prevent renewed intolerance reactions.

Effect of Byrsonima crassa and phenolic constituents on Helicobacter pylori-induced neutrophils oxidative burst

Byrsonima crassa Niedenzu (Malpighiaceae) is used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of diseases related mainly to gastric ulcers. In a previous study, our group described the gastric protective effect of the methanolic extract from the leaves of B. crassa. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of methanolic extract and its phenolic compounds on the respiratory burst of neutrophils stimulated by H. pylori using a luminol-based chemiluminescence assay as well as their anti-H. pylori activity. The suppressive activity on oxidative burst of H. pylori-stimulated neutrophils was in the order of methyl gallate > (+)-catechin > methanol extract > quercetin 3-O-α-l-arabinopyranoside > quercetin 3-O-β-d-galactopyranoside > amentoflavone. Methyl gallate, compound that induced the highest suppressive activity with IC₅₀ value of 3.4 μg/mL, did not show anti-H. pylori activity. B. crassa could be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidant in gastric ulcers by attenuating the effects on the damage to gastric mucosa caused by neutrophil generated reactive oxygen species, even when H. pylori displays its evasion mechanisms.

Ultra-deep sequencing reveals the microRNA expression pattern of the human stomach

Background

While microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in tissue differentiation and in maintaining basal physiology, little is known about the miRNA expression levels in stomach tissue. Alterations in the miRNA profile can lead to cell deregulation, which can induce neoplasia.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A small RNA library of stomach tissue was sequenced using high-throughput SOLiD sequencing technology. We obtained 261,274 quality reads with perfect matches to the human miRnome, and 42% of known miRNAs were identified. Digital Gene Expression profiling (DGE) was performed based on read abundance and showed that fifteen miRNAs were highly expressed in gastric tissue. Subsequently, the expression of these miRNAs was validated in 10 healthy individuals by RT-PCR showed a significant correlation of 83.97% (P<0.05). Six miRNAs showed a low variable pattern of expression (miR-29b, miR-29c, miR-19b, miR-31, miR-148a, miR-451) and could be considered part of the expression pattern of the healthy gastric tissue.

Conclusions/Significance

This study aimed to validate normal miRNA profiles of human gastric tissue to establish a reference profile for healthy individuals. Determining the regulatory processes acting in the stomach will be important in the fight against gastric cancer, which is the second-leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide.