Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium that has adapted to survive in the harsh acidic environment of the human stomach. H. pylori remains one of the most common chronic bacterial infections of humans worldwide.1
It is the leading cause of infection-associated cancer globally and is categorized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a group I carcinogen because of its causal association with gastric cancer.1
Evidence suggested a potential role of H. pylori infection in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal disorder, that has a significant impact on the quality of life.2 All individuals who do not spontaneously clear the infection will develop chronic gastritis. Most infected individuals will remain asymptomatic and develop no meaningful clinical consequences.1
0%
global prevalence of H. pylori infection in adults.3
0%
global prevalence of H. pylori infection in children and adolescents.3
Factors affecting the prevalence of H. pylori infection are age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Several external factors, including food, carcinogen exposure, excessive alcohol consumption, and tobacco, can contribute to H. pylori development.4
The possible routes of transmission are fecal–oral, oral–oral, and gastric–oral routes. Children became infected with H. pylori at a very young age. Intrafamilial clustering of H. pylori infection implied person-to-person transmission or common exposure to same contaminated source.
H. pylori prevalence gradually increased with age from adolescents (10%–30%) to the elderly (40%–60%) and also varied between ethnic groups.5
H. pylori symptoms may look like other health conditions. Patient may present with epigastric pain, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, and heartburn. Most people have the bacteria for years without knowing it because they don’t have any symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they may include belly pain, which can:
Other symptoms may include:
The presence of H. pylori is related to the development of many pathologies of stomach, such as
Diagnostic testing and treatment for H. pylori infection is recommended in patients with:
The major clinical complications include peptic ulcer disease, chronic gastritis, gastric cancer, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.
It was suggested that H. pylori infection may contribute to iron deficiency anaemia, thrombocytopenia, failure to thrive, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, cardiovascular disorders, and several neurological disorders.
H. pylori gastritis is an infectious disease responsible for many peptic ulcers and >80% of cases of gastric cancer; it is the third most common cause of cancer death in the world and is associated with several other gastric and extra-gastric diseases.
Eradication of H. pylori infection heals chronic active gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, can improve IBS symptoms and reduces the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in aspirin users and the risk of gastric cancer in infected individuals.
Therefore, early detection, adequate follow-up, and alternative treatments are necessary.
There has been an alarming increase in antibiotic-resistant strains of H. pylori.
To combat drug-resistance, current tactics include making an accurate diagnosis and providing consistent treatments, using antimicrobial drugs judiciously, and preventing H. pylori spread. The control of multidrug-resistant H. pylori infections can be achieved through preventive measures.
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Since H. pylori is linked to a number of gastric diseases, such as gastroenteritis, gastroduodenal ulcers, and even stomach carcinoma, it is critical to diagnose and treat infection with this pathogen early and effectively to prevent it from spreading.
Lifestyle modifications are necessary to minimize the risk of H. pylori infection. These include proper hand washing, reducing the consumption of frozen/processed food, washing packed salads/vegetables properly before eating, and drinking boiled water.
If you have concerns about being infected by H. pyolri or any other health issues, always see your healthcare provider to be sure.
H. pylori: Helicobacter pylori
IBS: irritable bowel syndrome
NSAID – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
References
Last updated: 14 April 2025
GLO-GASTRO-04/2025-02
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