Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
04:11

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA

Published on: December 15, 2023

Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in cirrhotic patients with hepatitis B virus infection

A Ponzetto1, R Pellicano, N Leone

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Ospedale S Giovanni Battista, C.so Bramante 88, 10126, Torino, Italy. ponzetto@tin.it

The Netherlands Journal of Medicine
|May 24, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is highly prevalent in patients with liver cirrhosis, occurring in 89% of cases. This high prevalence may contribute to the frequent development of peptic ulcers in this patient group.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Liver cirrhosis poses a significant health burden, leading to high hospitalization rates.
  • Cirrhotic patients frequently experience upper gastrointestinal complications like peptic ulcers and bleeding.
  • Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a known risk factor for peptic ulcer disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver cirrhosis.
  • To compare H. pylori infection rates between cirrhotic patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted.
  • 45 male patients with HBV-related cirrhosis were compared to 310 sex- and age-matched blood donors.
  • Antibodies against H. pylori were measured to assess infection status.

Main Results:

  • H. pylori infection was detected in 89% of cirrhotic patients (40/45).
  • In comparison, 59% of blood donors (183/310) tested positive for H. pylori.
  • The difference in prevalence between the groups was statistically significant (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis is associated with a significantly higher prevalence of H. pylori infection.
  • The elevated H. pylori infection rate in cirrhotic patients may explain the high incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers in this population.

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Gastritis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Gastritis II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of gastritis begins with the colonization of the stomach lining by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This bacterium spreads mainly via the oral-oral route through saliva or shared utensils, and can also be transmitted in overcrowded or unhygienic environments through contaminated water, despite its brief survival outside the body.ColonizationOnce ingested, H. pylori enters the stomach and begins colonization by navigating through the mucus layer lining the stomach wall. It...
Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy01:16

Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy

Helicobacter pylori, a resilient gram-negative bacterium, can thrive in the stomach's harsh, acidic environment. Infection with H. pylori leads to a cascade of events within the stomach lining. One of the critical disruptions caused by this bacterium is the interference with somatostatin production, a hormone responsible for regulating acid secretion. This interference tips the balance, escalating acid secretion and diminishing bicarbonate levels. This imbalance compromises the defensive...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
Peptic Ulcer01:27

Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcers are erosive lesions of the gastric or duodenal lining, most commonly caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. This Gram-negative, helical bacterium has adapted to survive the stomach’s acidic environment by producing urease, which converts urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. The ammonia neutralizes gastric acid in the bacterium’s immediate environment, allowing colonization of the gastric mucosa. H. pylori attaches to mucus-secreting epithelial cells, penetrates the mucus...
Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:28

Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) presents with diverse symptoms depending on the location and severity of the ulcer. Clinical manifestations of peptic ulcer include dull pain and a burning sensation in the mid-epigastric region.
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.