ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2012;29(1):5-10

Review article

UDC:616.33/.4-002:579.84

Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Upper Gastrointestinal Disease

Marina Dinić^1,2, Dobrila Stanković Đorđević^1,2, Gordana Tasić^1,2, Branislava Kocić^1,2, Milena Bogdanović¹

¹Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Public Health Institute Niš, Serbia

²University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Serbia


SUMMARY

Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common bacterial infections in humans, being present in over a half of the world population. Helicobacter pylori infection, by itself, does not necessarily produce the symptoms of gastrointestinal tract diseases, but certainly presents a risk for their development. The clinical outcome of Helicobacter pylori infection depends on the interaction of numerous factors: the virulence of a bacterial strain, genetic predisposition and premorbid host conditions, as well as the environmental factors. Accordingly, a diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection will be of clinical relevance only if it is necessary to establish the cause of a disease associated with this infection. Thus, a thorough knowledge of the diseases associated with Helicobacter pylori infection is a key factor in any relevant assessment of the need for eradication therapy.

Key words: Helicobacter pylori, disease