Definition

Definition of Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a spiral bacteria that specifically and selectively resides beneath the mucus layer next to the stomach (gastric cells).

Description of Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter pylori infection has been associated with the occurrence of gastritis and peptic ulcers. Chronic H. pylori gastritis is a strong risk factor for stomach cancer. However, less than one percent of chronically infected individuals will develop stomach cancer.

In the past, one of the strongly held notions is that acid is the primary cause of duodenal ulcers. Indeed, the term acid peptic disease reflects the prevailing concept of cause, so therapy is aimed primarily at blocking acid.

However, it now appears that an even more important factor may be responsible for some ulcers (at least duodenal ulcers) - infestation with Helicobacter pylori.

Two important lines of evidence now support a possible causal role. First, H. pylori is present in the antrums of 9 to 95 percent of persons with a duodenal ulcer who do not use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or do not have Zollinger-Ellison syndrome as a possible cause of ulcer.

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