Helicobacter pylori. Basics and clinical overview.

The discovery of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has greatly changed the approach to the management of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. A sound knowledge of the basics of H. pylori is an important aid in the diagnosis and treatment of clinical conditions associated with this infection. Gastric carcinoma is estimated to be the world's second most common cancer as a cause of death. It is hoped that gastric cancer can be prevented by H. pylori eradication; however, this issue is still under investigation. Active research is ongoing to highlight the mechanisms by which H. pylori leads to severe gastric diseases as well as finding associations with extra-gastric diseases.