Worldwide research trends on the Helicobacter pylori-gut microbiome nexus: a bibliometric analysis.

INTRODUCTION

The impact of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) on the gastrointestinal tract ecosystem has been widely investigated beyond the stomach. Researchers have made considerable progress in understanding the relationship between H. pylori infection, gut microbiome dysbiosis, and systemic effects in recent years. This study aimed to explore the prospects and developing trends in the field of the H. pylori-gut microbiome nexus from a bibliometric perspective.

METHODS

Articles were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, and PubMed (2000-2025) and analyzed using bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace. Analysis of 1,592 publications reveals a distinct three-phase evolutionary structure in the field.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Geographically led by China and the USA, the research focus has undergone a paradigm shift: evolving from an initial "infection and eradication" phase, through a transitional "dysbiosis and ecological intervention" phase, to the current "tumor-immunity axis" hotspot. Recent high-strength citation bursts for terms like "Fusobacterium nucleatum" and "immunity" underscore this transformation, indicating that academic attention has moved beyond local gastric pathogen control to understanding H. pylori's systemic role in modulating tumor microenvironments and therapeutic responses. This bibliometric analysis maps the field's rapid growth trajectory, highlighting its value for guiding future precision oncology and microecological strategies.