Helicobacter Pylori infection is very frequent, affecting more than half the world’s population, especially individuals who live in developing nations.
The main routes of infection are oral-oral and faecal-oral, either through the ingestion of water or food that contains the bacteria, or because of poor hygienic conditions.
This bacteria is responsible for pathological processes that produce chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer, and gastric lymphoma.
In some cases this illness is associated to extra-digestive illnesses such as cardiovascular, dermatological, and autoimmune diseases, and so on.
The symptoms related to this bacteria are varied; they include dyspepsia, abdominal distension, or stomach acidity.
The diagnostic methods are divided into direct (histology, rapid urease test, culture), or indirect (serology, urea breath test, antigen faeces test).
The Gastroscopy is the principle procedure for determining lesions in the mucosa produced by Helicobacter Pylori, also allowing the medical professional to gather biopsies for a histological study, urease testing, or cultures).
Among the non-invasive tests is the Breath Test, or Urea Test, based on detecting the activity of urease (the enzyme present in the bacteria) after the oral administration of urea.
This test is highly sensitive (98%) and specific (97%), and is considered to be the best method for confirming the eradication of a Helicobacter Pylori infection.
The treatment of choice for this bacteria consists of administering a combination of antibiotics associated to anti-secretors, having detected a growing resistance to some antibiotics in the last few years. This has led, in many cases, to repeating the treatment after modifying some of the drugs used.
If any of the aforementioned symptoms are detected, it is very important to consult a specialist to determine the causes, select the best treatment, as well as be made aware of the appropriate control and monitoring for each individual case.
