Pathophysiology of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis and peptic ulcer disease

Am J Med. 1997 Feb;102(2):200-7. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9343(96)00273-2.

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori causes persistent infection and inflammation in the human stomach, yet only a small fraction of persons harboring this organism develop peptic ulcer disease. An important question is why this variation in infection outcome exists. Recent studies have demonstrated that H pylori isolates possess substantial phenotypic and genotypic diversity that may engender differential host inflammatory responses that influence clinical outcome. Further investigation in this field may help to define which H pylori-infected persons bear the highest risk for subsequent development of peptic ulcer disease, and thus enable physicians to focus eradication therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Gastric Acid / metabolism
  • Gastritis / microbiology
  • Gastritis / pathology
  • Gastritis / physiopathology*
  • Helicobacter Infections / pathology
  • Helicobacter Infections / physiopathology*
  • Helicobacter pylori*
  • Humans
  • Peptic Ulcer / microbiology
  • Peptic Ulcer / pathology
  • Peptic Ulcer / physiopathology*
  • Stomach / microbiology
  • Stomach / pathology
  • Stomach / physiopathology