[Helicobacter pylori in the etiology of ulcer disease and gastritis].

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is unequivocally the most frequent cause of antral gastritis and most probably participates in the majority of cases in the aetiology of gastritis affecting the body of the stomach. The close relationship between antral gastritis and duodenal ulceration is documented by the high incidence of Hp in these patients (90-100%). The problem of Hp negative cases of duodenal ulceration was not finally resolved yet. The absence of Hp in duodenal ulcer usually implies a different aetiology (NSAID, gastrinoma etc.). Hp is eliminated by a number of drugs (bismuth preparations, some antibiotics, metronidazole), however, eradication (Hp negativity after a month or longer following termination of treatment) is ensured so far only by a combination of several drugs. Less clear are the relations with gastric ulcers. The presence of Hp in the antral mucosa is substantially smaller, however, when the mucosa near the ulcer is examined it is also almost 100%. The relationship of antral gastritis and non-ulcer dyspepsia is not quite clear. Hp is found in about half the patients and its elimination (e.g. by bismuth preparations), has a favourable impact on inflammatory changes as well as on the patient's complaints. The regression of complaints is more permanent than after antacids which have only a favourable effect on complaints but not on Hp and the inflammation.