On the 40^th anniversary of the discovery of Helicobacter pylori

Abstract

The review is dedicated to the analysis of the accumulated data on the study of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) since the detailed description of this bacterium as the main etiological factor of gastrointestinal diseases. The work shows the dual role of H. pylori both as a bacterial pathogen for humans and as a potential representative of the normal microbiome of the stomach. In most scientific publications, the attention of researchers is focused entirely on the consideration of the pathogenic properties of H. pylori in the development of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastric cancer (GC), and also considers the development of effective methods of eradication therapy. Along with this, in recent years, more and more often there are works that indicate a potentially positive effect of this bacterium on the human body and the occurrence of a number of negative consequences after eradication therapy. In this connection, the question of the probable affiliation of H. pylori to the composition of the human microbiome is discussed. Data on the high prevalence of the microorganism in the population and its asymptomatic coexistence with humans indicate the persistence of the bacterium in the body, most likely as a representative of the microbiome. The accumulated data on the effect of H. pylori on human health demonstrate a clear ambiguity of the problem. In this regard, it is important to answer the question whether it is necessary to create programs for mass eradication of H. pylori, or whether it is necessary to approach the implementation of eradication therapy in a more personalized way.

The significance of chronic hyperglycemia for the reduced efficacy of eradication therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and for Helicobacter pylori survival

“…H. pylori is a bacterium that is often found in patients with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer, as well as among the healthy population [19,20]. Over a 40-year period of study of this bacterium, it has been convincingly shown that in patients with DM, both of the first and second types, H. pylori is detected more frequently than in the general population [2,3,21,22]. The high incidence of H. pylori in patients with DM is accompanied by low efficacy of eradicate on therapy [10,11].…”