Helicobacter Pylori Test

Helicobacter Pylori is a type of bacteria which infects more than two third of the world population and can be diagnosed by Helicobacter pylori test which can be performed in the blood, stool, or breath. Helicobacter pylori is characterized by its ability to live in the acidic environment of the stomach leading to stomach pain and ulcers, and this may develop into stomach cancer in some people.

Symptoms of by Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori infection may be asymptomatic in most people, however; when the bacteria destroy the inner lining of the stomach and cause peptic ulcers, some symptoms may appear which include: 

1. Flatulence.
2. Severe stomach pain
3. Nausea and vomiting
4. Weight loss
5. Loss of appetite
6. Tiredness
7. Pallor of the skin
8. Indigestion
9. Anemia

Causes of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori can be transmitted from one person to another through different ways:

1. Contaminated food or drink.
2. Direct contact with saliva, stool, or vomit.
3. Sanitary ware of infected people.

Helicobacter pylori tests

Helicobacter pylori can be diagnosed by laboratory tests which include:

1. Helicobacter pylori Ag in stool: the most common helicobacter pylori test  for diagnosis which looks for to Helicobacter pylori antigens in your stool.
2. Helicobacter pylori Abs: It looks for antibodies against Helicobacter pylori infection in the blood.
3. Urea Breath Test: this helicobacter Pylori test  is performed in the breath to check for helicobacter pylori. It is performed by swallowing a urea pill that is loaded with radioactive carbon molecules. In the presence of helicobacter pylori infection, the bacteria break down urea with urease enzymes into radioactive carbon which can be measured to detect helicobacter pylori infection. 

Complications of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori infection can develop some complications which include: 

1. Gastritis: Helicobacter pylori infection is the major cause of gastritis. Helicobacter pylori bacteria can live in the acidic environment of the stomach as these bacteria secrete an enzyme called urease which converts urea into ammonia which protects the bacteria from the acidic stomach. The bacteria then multiply and irritate the stomach tissue causing inflammation.
2. Ulcers: About 10% of Helicobacter pylori infections can develop to ulcers. This may be due to injury of the mucous coating that protects the lining of the stomach and duodenum. As a result, the stomach acid creeps to the sensitive lining of the stomach and small intestine causing ulcers to form.
3. Internal bleeding: It occurs when the peptic ulcer breaks down blood vessels. 
4. Obstruction: It happens when foods are blocked from leaving the stomach.
5. Perforation: It happens due to damage of the stomach wall by ulcers.
6. Stomach Cancer: People infected with helicobacter pylori are more vulnerable to stomach cancer.

Prevention of Helicobacter pylori infection

Some instructions should be followed to avoid helicobacter pylori infection which include:

1. Wash hands carefully before and after eating.
2. Avoid contaminated foods and drinks.
3. Cook food properly
4. Don’t use non-personal sanitary wares. 
5. Don’t deal with infected people until they are cured. 

References

1. Calvet X, Sánchez-Delgado J, Montserrat A, et al. Accuracy of diagnostic tests for Helicobacter pylori: a reappraisal. Clin Infect Dis 2009; 48:1385.
2. Amieva, M. R., N. R. Salama, L. S. Tompkins, and S. Falkow. 2002. Helicobacter pylori enter and survive within multivesicular vacuoles of epithelial cells. Cell. Microbiol.4:677-690.
3. John C Atherton, H. pylori virulence factors , British Medical Bulletin, Volume 54, Issue 1, 1998, Pages 105–120, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.bmb.a011662
4. Dincă, A.L.; Meliț, L.E.; Mărginean, C.O. Old and New Aspects of H. pylori-Associated Inflammation and Gastric Cancer. Children 2022, 9, 1083. https://doi.org/10.3390/children9071083
5. Cláudia Sousa, Rute Ferreira, Nuno F. Azevedo, Mónica Oleastro, Joana Azeredo, Ceu Figueiredo, Luís D. R. Melo. (2022) Helicobacter pylori infection: from standard to alternative treatment strategies. Critical Reviews in Microbiology 48:3, pages 376-396.