{"id":3346,"date":"2025-08-21T13:43:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T11:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admin.infectnet.org\/?p=3346"},"modified":"2025-08-29T09:58:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T07:58:12","slug":"wanted-helicobacter-pylori","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/infectnet.org\/en\/archive\/3346","title":{"rendered":"WANTED: Helicobacter pylori"},"content":{"rendered":"

With a pH value of 2 to 2.5, the stomach is one of the most acidic areas of the human body. It breaks down food and protects us by killing many of the pathogens we ingest every day. This environment is lethal to most microorganisms, with one notable exception: Helicobacter pylori<\/em>, in short: H.\u202fpylori<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wanted:
Wanted criminal: Helicobacter pylori<\/em> causes chronic inflammation of the stomach lining, which can develop into stomach ulcers and cancer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Helicobacter pylori<\/em> \u2013 Acidity is its home<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

H.\u202fpylori<\/em> is a bacterium that has developed special mechanisms to survive in the acidic environment of the stomach and colonise the stomach lining. Around half of the world's population carries it, usually without showing any symptoms. However, the infection can have serious consequences for those affected: from chronic inflammation and stomach ulcers to an increased risk of stomach cancer. It is no wonder that shortly after its discovery in 1994, H.\u202fpylori<\/em> was classified as carcinogenic by the WHO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The self-experiment that had H.\u202fpylori<\/em> exposed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although H.\u202fpylori<\/em> has probably been present in humans for around 100,000 years, it was only discovered a few decades ago, along with the diseases it causes. Until the early 1980s, it was believed that no bacteria could survive the acidic environment of the stomach. Instead, stomach ulcers were attributed to stress or an unhealthy lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1982, Australian researchers Robin Warren and Barry Marshall isolated H.\u202fpylori<\/em> from the gastric mucosa. The discovery was initially met with great scepticism. To prove causality, Marshall drank a culture containing live H.\u202fpylori<\/em>. Shortly afterwards, he developed typical gastritis symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. He was then able to isolate H.\u202fpylori<\/em> from his stomach lining again, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. Warren and Marshall were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2005 for this work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infection: how does H. pylori<\/em> enter the stomach?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Infection with H.\u202fpylori<\/em> usually occurs during childhood and, if left untreated, persists throughout life. The exact route of transmission is not fully understood. However, researchers assume that infection occurs predominantly from person to person, especially within the family through close physical contact. Transmission via saliva (oral-oral) and via faecally contaminated material (oral-faecal) are being discussed. Infection through contaminated water is also possible, but is not considered to be the main cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms: how does the body react to H. pylori<\/em>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most infections go unnoticed, with around 90% of those affected showing no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they are usually non-specific: recurring upper abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite or bad breath. In rare cases, vomiting, flatulence or heartburn may occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the long term, however, H.\u202fpylori<\/em> increases the risk of serious diseases: 1\u201310% of those infected develop stomach ulcers or duodenal ulcers. Even rarer, but particularly serious, are complications such as gastric cancer or MALT lymphoma. Despite the relatively low individual probability, H.\u202fpylori <\/em>is one of the most significant carcinogenic infections due to its worldwide prevalence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diagnosis: how can you determine whether you are carrying H. pylori<\/em> ?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Invasive and non-invasive procedures are available to detect infection:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invasive procedures:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n