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Pharmacy World and Science

, Volume 18, Issue 2, pp 49–55 | Cite as

Helicobacter pylori infection and its role in human disease — an overview

  • K. E. L. McColl
Reviews

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is probably the commonest chronic bacterial infection in humans. The bacterium colonizes the gastric epithelium and induces inflammation of the underlying mucosa. The recognition that this infection is the most important acquired factor in the pathogenesis of duodenal and gastric ulcers has transformed the management of these common disorders. Most patients with ulcers can be cured by a 1-week course of anti-H. pylori therapy, thereby removing the need for long-term acid inhibitory therapy. Eradication of the infection involves taking complex combinations of drugs and simpler eradication regimens are required. Recent epidemiological data indicate an association betweenH. pylori infection and the subsequent development of gastric carcinoma. If this association is established as causal, then widespread eradication of the infection may be indicated. Global eradication ofH. pylori will probably rely on prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination and this approach is being actively investigated.

Keywords

Duodenal ulcer Eradication therapy Gastric cancer Helicobacter pylori 
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Copyright information

© Kluwer Academic Publishers 1996

Authors and Affiliations

  • K. E. L. McColl
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Gardiner InstituteWestern InfirmaryGlasgowScotland, UK

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