Transmission of Helicobacter pylori.

The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori has been the attention of a great deal of study. The age and geographical distribution of infection is rapidly changing with improvements in living conditions, particularly in the childhood period. More than one mode and route of transmission is possible varying with local custom and practices. Infection may be acquired from environmental sources in certain parts of the developing world, but in most circumstances it is probably acquired interpersonally. Interpersonal transmission may be by either fecal-oral or oral-oral routes, depending on circumstances, but the former is likely to be the most important. The life-long chronic active gastritis associated with H pylori may have other consequences for health, such as growth in childhood and coronary heart disease.