Helicobacter pylori: Not just a Gastric Infection

Mohamed Emara

doi:10.21608/aeji.2021.191188

Abstract

Salama et al., in the current issue of Afro-Egypt J Infect Endem Dis published an interesting article focusing the prevalence of H pylori among patients with persistent itching. The authors reported a prevalence of H pylori among 130 out of 280 patients (46.4%) of persistent itching after exclusion of the common causes of itching. The authors reported 60% complete response defined as disappearance of itching after 2-weeks of H pylori treatment. Furthermore, 20% of patients reported partial improvement while 20% did not improve in comparison to 0% among the H pylori negative group treated with anti-histaminics. The authors reported also Ig E levels to be significantly higher among H pylori negative cases ruling out the allergic mechanism as a cause of skin affection in H pylori infected subjects.

Highlights

Helicobacter (H) pylori is a gram negative spiral flagellated bacteria and is the most prevalent infection around the globe
H pylori is classified as class I carcinogen by the WHO [2] and identification and eradication of the infection is recommended for subgroups of patients as per the current practice guidelines [3,4]
H pylori have been linked to many metabolic, cardiac, neurological, allergic, ocular, haematological, dermatological, and hepatobiliary diseases and the list is extending [5]. It seems that these associations have been over estimated because the evidence linking H pylori infection to these diseases depends on epidemiological studies

Summary

Introduction

Helicobacter (H) pylori is a gram negative spiral flagellated bacteria and is the most prevalent infection around the globe. This gram negative spiral bacteria inhabits the gastro-duodenal mucosa it is linked to gastric and many extra-gastric disease states. H pylori is classified as class I carcinogen by the WHO [2] and identification and eradication of the infection is recommended for subgroups of patients as per the current practice guidelines [3,4].

Results

Conclusion