Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a Eubacterium that infects the mucus lining of the human stomach. Many peptic ulcers and some types of gastritis are caused by H. pylori infection, although most humans who are infected will never develop symptoms. This bacterium lives in the human stomach exclusively and is the only known organism that can thrive in that highly acidic environment. It is helix-shaped (hence the name helicobacter) and can literally screw itself into the stomach lining to colonize.

Acid reflux and esophageal cancer

The infection rate with H. pylori has been decreasing in developing countries, presumably because of improved hygiene and increased antibiotics use. Accordingly, the incidence of gastric cancer in the U.S. has fallen by 80 percent from 1900 to 2000. However, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD or GERD depending on the use of British or American English, respectively) and have increased dramatically during the same period. In 1996, Martin Blaser put forward the theory that H. pylori might also have a beneficial effect: by regulating the acidity of the stomach contents, it lowers the impact of regurgitation of stomach acids into the esophagus. While some favorable evidence has been accumulated, as of 2005 the theory is not universally accepted.

Related Topics:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease - As of 2005

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