[Helicobacter pylori. Which patients should be examined and treated?].

Research has shown Helicobacter pylori infections to be associated with a wide range of gastroduodenal diseases such as chronic gastritis, duodenal and gastric ulcers, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas, and gastric cancer. Although there is no room for doubt that H pylori strains are pathogenic in humans, it would be premature to contend that all H pylori infections should be treated. The necessity of a more conservative approach is discussed in the article.