About this Research Topic
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most prevalent bacterial infection of the stomach, and over 50% of the global population (up to 80% in some developing countries) is infected with this microorganism. It is a spiral-shaped bacterium that can colonize and penetrate the stomach's mucosal layer, producing enzymes and toxins that cause inflammation. H. pylori can be transmitted from person to person through saliva, fecal-oral transmission, or contaminated food or water. It may also be transmitted through contact with infected animals, and some genetic factors have also been identified. The risk of infection also increases with poor sanitation, overcrowding, and socioeconomic factors. Although most people infected with H. pylori remain asymptomatic, some individuals can experience abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting, among others, which can lead to gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, or even gastric cancer.
Several prognostic factors of H. pylori infection have been identified so far, such as the infection stage, the host age and health status, antibiotic resistance, associated disorders, lifestyle factors, or the host immune response. Among the most used diagnostic tools for detecting H. pylori are noninvasive breath, blood or stool tests, and invasive test endoscopy. The main treatments for H. pylori infection are antibiotics, combined with acid suppression drugs. Commonly prescribed antibiotics such as clarithromycin, amoxicillin, metronidazole, or tetracycline are used to eliminate the bacterium. Acid suppression medications such as proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers help to reduce the inflammation in the stomach caused by H. pylori infection. Lifestyle modifications, early detection, and appropriate treatment for H. pylori can alleviate the impact of this bacterial infection on health and lead to better outcomes, hence the aim of this Research Topic is to address the current level of scientific knowledge relating to the factors contributing to H. pylori infection and the novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches for this highly prevalent infection.
Researchers are encouraged to submit original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, systematic reviews, exceptional case reports, perspectives, short communications as well as theoretical papers, opinions, and methods relevant to this article collection that will cover topics such as (but not limited to):
- association of prognostic factors of H. pylori infections with their prevalence
- epidemiology of H. pylori infections
- new noninvasive and invasive diagnostic approaches for H. pylori detection
- novel therapeutic strategies for the management of H. pylori infections
Several prognostic factors of H. pylori infection have been identified so far, such as the infection stage, the host age and health status, antibiotic resistance, associated disorders, lifestyle factors, or the host immune response. Among the most used diagnostic tools for detecting H. pylori are noninvasive breath, blood or stool tests, and invasive test endoscopy. The main treatments for H. pylori infection are antibiotics, combined with acid suppression drugs. Commonly prescribed antibiotics such as clarithromycin, amoxicillin, metronidazole, or tetracycline are used to eliminate the bacterium. Acid suppression medications such as proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers help to reduce the inflammation in the stomach caused by H. pylori infection. Lifestyle modifications, early detection, and appropriate treatment for H. pylori can alleviate the impact of this bacterial infection on health and lead to better outcomes, hence the aim of this Research Topic is to address the current level of scientific knowledge relating to the factors contributing to H. pylori infection and the novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches for this highly prevalent infection.
Researchers are encouraged to submit original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, systematic reviews, exceptional case reports, perspectives, short communications as well as theoretical papers, opinions, and methods relevant to this article collection that will cover topics such as (but not limited to):
- association of prognostic factors of H. pylori infections with their prevalence
- epidemiology of H. pylori infections
- new noninvasive and invasive diagnostic approaches for H. pylori detection
- novel therapeutic strategies for the management of H. pylori infections
Keywords: helicobacter, ulcer, gastric cancer, prognosis, diagnosis, treatment
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