Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Risk Factors of Helicobacter pylori Infection

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a human-specific pathogen which leads to gastric pathologies including gastric cancer. It is a highly unique bacterium considered as a carcinogenic agent. H. pylori remains a major human health problem, responsible for ~90% of the gastric cancer cases. Approximately four billion individuals have been detected for H. pylori infection worldwide in 2015. At the turn of the 21 st century, the prevalence of H. pylori has been declining in highly industrialized countries of the Western world, whereas prevalence has plateaued at a high level in developing and newly industrialized countries. However, the infection status remains high in immigrants coming from countries with high prevalence of H. pylori infection. H. pylori can be diagnosed by invasive and non-invasive methods. Urea breath test and stool antigens detection are among the most commonly used non-invasive ones. Although the way H. pylori is transmitted remains still unclear, the level of contamination is strongly dependent on the familial and environmental context, with a drastic impact of living conditions with poor hygiene and sanitation. However, familial socioeconomic status is the main risk factor for H. pylori infection among children. In addition, food and water source have a high impact on the prevalence of H. pylori infection worldwide. This chapter highlights the latest knowledge in the epidemiology of H. pylori infection, its diagnosis and critical risk factors responsible for its high prevalence in some populations and geographic areas.

A retrospective study of potential influence factors on Helicobacter pylori infection treatment

“…Meanwhile, better education background, hands washing habits, always associated with better incomes, were both bene cial factors for H. pylori infection treatment. These conclusions were similar to some previous researches (2,16). After multivariate regression analysis, income level was not statistically signi cant, while better education background, hands washing habits were still recognizable.…”

“…Age, gender, number of family members, follow-up time, type of toilet, water source and past history of gastropathy seemed to be irrelevant with H. pylori infection control. These results, especially type of toilet and water source were not a statistically signi cant factor on H. pylori infection control, were not consistent with some conclusions before (2), which should be interpreted with caution. Only 2 patients used pit toilet at home, and 7 patients used puri ed water as drinking water source, therefore, inadequate sample size might lead to a biased result.…”

“…Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative and micro-aerophilic bacteria that colonize in human stomach, and H. pylori infection affects almost half of the world's population (1). As the major risk factor of peptic ulcer diseases, H. pylori was also classi ed as a grade I carcinogen by World Health Organization (2). In fact, its infection lead to duodenal ulcer disease, gastric ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma and gastric lymphoma (3).…”

A meta‐analysis of the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

“…Helicobacter pylori ( H pylori ) is a spiral, gram‐negative microaerobic bacterium and has infected about half of the world’s population 1,2 . Its infection can cause a variety of symptoms, including gastritis, peptic ulcer, and neoplastic disease 3‐5 .…”

Screening for Upper Gastrointestinal Malignancies in the United States—Which Immigrant Groups Should Be Considered High-Risk?

“…29 Immigrant populations, particularly those are at higher risk of having H pylori, should be tested and treated. 30 However, some patients with H pylori may be past the point of no return and remain at higher risk of neoplastic progression despite H pylori treatment. 31 The interaction between H pylori infection and immigrant status in gastric cancer risk in the United States requires further investigation.…”