Helicobacter Pylori

PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE

Peptic ulcer are open sores that develop on the inside lining of your stomach or upper small intestine. Not long ago, the common belief was that peptic ulcers were a result of lifestyle. A great deal has changed. Doctors now know that many ulcers are caused by the corkscrew-shaped bacterium Helicobacter pylori, not stress or diet. And instead of taking months or years to treat, ulcer can often be cured in 2 to 4 weeks.


WHAT IS H.PYLORI?

H.Pylori is a spiral-shaped bacteria first found in the human stomach in 1982. It is associated with a variety of gastrointestinal diseases, particularly peptic ulcer and also increases the risk of developing stomach cancer. Nearly all duodenal ulcers and approximately 80% of gastric ulcers are associated with H.pylori infection. Studies have shown the removal of this infection produces significantly higher ulcer healting rates and even cure of the disease. H.plyori infectes more than half of the world's population and is transmitted from person to person. H.pylori can also be found in soe drinking water.


WHO SHOULD BE TESTED ?

1. Patients presenting with recurrent dyspeptic symptoms eg. epigastric pain, abdominal discomfort and nausea suggestive of peptic ulcer should be considered for H.pylori testing.
   
   
2. Patients with newly diagnosed gastric ulcer of those with a history of gastric ulcer who have recurrent symptoms should also be tested for H.pylori.
   
   
3. Because H.pylori is associated with gastric adenocarcinoma, patients with a family history of this stomach cancer should be tested for H.pylori antibodies.
   
   

HOW TO TEST FOR H.PYLORI INFECTION

H.pylori infection is treatable. However, testing for infection before initiating therapy is required to prevent over-treatment and ensure cost-effectiveness. The diagnosis of an active H.pylori infection can be made using one of the noninvasive methods including urea breath test, stool antigen test and blood serology test, or one of several invasive biopsy-based tests that require endoscopy.



BLOOD TEST FOR H.PYLORI INFECTION

Serologic test for H.pylori specific IgG antibody, provides an accurate, simple and less costly way to detect the infection. These methods detect antibodies to H.pylori, which are produced by our immune response to the infection. The accuracy of the test is up to 98% but they may not distinguish active from past infection. The test provides useful information to the doctors in the management of of gastrointestinal problems without having to perform invasive procedures. Repeating the test a few months after treatment may provide a clue to the response towards medications.

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