What Is Helicobacter Pylori Infection?

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral bacterium responsible for most of the cases of stomach and duodenal ulcers. The bacterium is believed to spread through food and water. It is common in crowded places where many people live in close quarters. Although helicobacter pylori infection is most common in developing countries, it affects a significant portion of the population of the developed world too.

The bacteria penetrate the mucus membrane lining the stomach. Once inside, they produce enzymes which further damage the membrane. As the protective lining of the stomach thins out, it becomes more susceptible to be damaged by the hydrochloric acid produced in the stomach. Due to the action of the acid, the membrane is damaged further and large gastric ulcers are formed. These ulcers, if left untreated may progress to form stomach cancer.

Symptoms of Helicobacter pylori infection

In majority of cases, the infection largely remains asymptomatic. However, in some people, it may produce the following symptoms:

• Severe pain in the upper abdomen because of ulcers. The pain is more pronounced when the stomach is empty and the acid is acting on the ulcer. It gets relieved on eating food, drinking milk or taking antacids.
• Apart from pain, the patient may complain of loss of appetite, bloating of the abdomen and frequent burping.
• Because of severe acidity, the patient may complain of nausea and vomiting.
• If the ulcer is very deep, the vomitus may be coffee brown in color because of presence of blood.
• Persistent loss of blood may lead to anemia in long term.
• Sudden rapid blood loss may lead to hypovolumic shock.
• In case the ulcer progresses to cancer, patient may complain of weight loss apart from other signs of malignancy.

Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection

Traditionally, helicobacter pylori used to be diagnosed on the basis of several tests which included:

• Blood test: The blood is tested for the presence of antibodies against helicobacter.
• Stool test: Stool is tested to find any evidence of infection.
• Barium meal study: This is done to find out if the patient has developed any ulcers. The patient is asked to swallow a fluid containing barium which is radio-opaque. X-ray examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract is done at short intervals to visualize the passage of barium meal through the gut.
• Endoscopy: During endoscopy, the upper GI tract is directly visualized with the help of camera and biopsy of suspicious part is taken which is then sent for pathological examination.

Read More: Helicobacter pylori associated diseases

These tests are carried out over a few days and the reports usually come in days to weeks. The latest test for helicobacter pylori involves urea breath test. Urea labeled with radioactive 13C is administered to the patient. The bacteria produce large amounts of enzyme urease. This hydrolyzes urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide which are detected in the breath test.