This document provides an overview of Helicobacter pylori infections. It discusses that H. pylori is the most common bacterial infection worldwide, affecting 70-90% of populations in developing countries. While most infections are asymptomatic, H. pylori can cause peptic ulcer disease in 10% of individuals and gastric cancer in 1%. The document outlines the microbiology of H. pylori, describing it as a gram-negative, microaerophilic spiral bacterium. It also discusses the pathogenesis of H. pylori infections and indications for testing. Treatment guidelines and various testing methods like invasive biopsy-based testing and non-invasive breath and stool antigen tests are also summarized.

1. HELICOBACTER PYLORI
INFECTIONS
Dr Raman Ghimire

2. OUTLINES
• Introduction
• Microbiology
• Pathogenesis
• Indications for tests
• Investigations
• Treatment guidelines
• MCQs

3. INTRODUCTION
• Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common bacterial infection
worldwide
• In developing countries, 70 to 90% of the population carries H. pylori
• H pylori may be detected in 90% of individuals with PUD
• No specific clinical signs and symptoms have been described
• 85% -asymptomatic
10% -peptic ulcer
1% - gastric cancer

4. • H. pylori infection is associated with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
( anti-CagA antibodies that cross-react with platelet antigens)
• H. pylori infection is protective against GERD ,Oesophageal CA, Asthma
• EXTRA-GASTRIC DISEASES:
Parkinsonism, MS, GBS,alzheimer’s
Rosacea, Psoriasis ,chronic utricaria
IDA, ITP ,B12 def
open-angle glaucoma , central serous chorioretinitis , blepharitis
CAD, stroke
DM, metabolic syndrome
NAFLD

5. Mode of transmission:
 feco-oral
 oral-oral routes
 iatrogenic (unsterilized endoscopy equipment)
• No substantial reservoir of H. pylori aside from the human
stomach
• Gastric infection and H. pylori in the mouth (Periodontal disease )
• Dental plaque has been reported to be a reservoir for H. pylori.

6. MICROBIOLOGY
• Gram-negative ,microaerophilic,
spiral shaped bacilli
• Motile: 4-6 lophotrichous flagella
• Demonstrated by Gram stain,
Giemsa stain, H&E stain, Warthin–
Starry silver stain
• Culture: Columbia blood agar,
Brucella broth
• Produces oxidase, catalase
and urease
• UREA urease CO2 + AMMONIA

7. Virulence factors:
 cytotoxin-associated gene A antigen (CagA)
cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI): cag A gene + T4SS
absent in 40% of strains
risk of gastric CA
enters the cell: interferes with transduction pathway, antiapoptotic
 vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA)
coded by Vac A gene
absent in 60% of strains
induces inflammation $ injury to gastric mucosa
 Lipopolysaccharides
 Adhesins : Ice A , Bab A, Sap A ,Dup A ,Oip A
 Enzymes: Urease, proteinase, mucinase ,lipase

8. PATHOGENESIS

10. INDICATION FOR TESTING H. PYLORI
• All patients; with active or past history of PUD
(unless previous cure of HPI has been documented),
low-grade gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALToma )
history of endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer
• Patients with dyspepsia who are undergoing upper endoscopy
(gastric biopsy specimens)
• Patients on long-term, low-dose aspirin
• Patients initiating long-term therapy with NSAIDs
• Patients with unexplained iron deficiency anemia following standard workup
• Adults with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

11. • Post-treatment testing to prove eradication of HPI
 urea breath test,
 fecal antigen test
 biopsy-based testing
at least 4 weeks following completion of antimicrobial therapy
and after proton pump inhibitors have been withheld for 1-2
weeks.
American College of Gastroenterology (ACG),2017 guidelines for the treatment
of H pylori infection (HPI) include the following recommendations for testing
for H pylori [26] :

12. TESTS FOR H. PYLORI
95-98

13. 1.INVASIVE:
 Endoscopy + biopsy sample required
 Expensive
 Drug sensitivity can be done in Culture
 Histology provides additional information about gastric mucosa
 Can be used to start antimicrobial therapy and confirm eradication
2.NON-INVASIVE:
Easy & cheaper
Sample : blood, stool , breath
 Can be used to start antimicrobial therapy and confirm eradication
except serology test
serology test cannot differentiate new or old infection

14. TREATMENT

16. MCQs
1. All of the following can be used as confirmation for
eradication of H. pylori EXCEPT:
A. urea breath test
B. fecal antigen test
C. biopsy-based testing
D. serology
Ans: D

17. 2. Which of the following is true regarding H. pylori
A. Gram positive
B. Non –motile
C. carcinogenic effect via the CagA protein
D. Levofloxacin based therapy are not used for treament
Ans : C
Gram negative ,motile
Levofloxacin based therapy is used

18. REFERENCES
• The 2017 American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) guidelines
for the treatment of H pylori infection (HPI)
• Pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori Infection
Johannes G. Kusters,* Arnoud H. M. van Vliet, and Ernst J. Kuipers
• Helicobacter pylori: Toward effective eradication
Susan Collazo, RN, MSN, ACNP
• Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori by invasive test: histology
Ju Yup Lee and Nayoung Kim
• Helicobacter pylori infection: Host immune response, implications
on gene expression and microRNAs
Aline Cristina Targa Cadamuro, Ana Flávia Teixeira Rossi, Nathália Maciel Maniezzo,
Ana Elizabete Silva

19. THANK YOU