Helicobacter pylori -Related Diseases

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common bacterial infection of the gastric mucosa. The infection is generally asymptomatic, but it may cause a variety of gastrointestinal diseases, that are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. H. pylori infection always causes a histological gastritis, and can alter the normal physiology of the stomach in a number of different ways. In some cases, increased acid secretion can lead to the formation of duodenal ulcers. In other hosts, acid secretion may be reduced, leading to an association with gastric ulcers as well as gastric carcinoma and lymphoma.