H. pylori vacuolating toxin

Helicobacter pylori is the agent of chronic gastritis, the most widespread infection in the world after dental caries; it is also the condicio sine qua non for the development of duodenal ulcer1, and a concomitant cause of gastric cancer2. Despite the world-wide occurrence of these illnesses, the natural history of H. pylori infection is still far from understood. The study of the pathogenicity characteristics of these micro-organisms is required to understand the pathway between infection and the development of mucosal lesions. It is currently unclear why only a small percentage of H. pylori-infected patients develop serious gastroduodenal lesions, and why most infected individuals can carry this organism in their stomach throughout their life, seemingly without problems.