Helicobacter pylori: diseases, tests and treatment

Gastroduodenal disease associated with Helicobacter pylori infection are reviewed as well as the diagnostic approach. Generally, there are by and large two ways in which a diagnosis of infection by Helicobacter pylori can be made: by using either an invasive or non-invasive procedure. The invasive procedures involve endoscopy and biopsy Biopsy is essential since the mucosa may often appear macroscopically normal but, nevertheless, be inflamed. Once a biopsy is obtained histological examination, culture, polymerase chain reaction, detection of the presence of urease activity can be detected. The non-invasive tests that can be used to diagnose the infection are: serology, detection of labelled metabolic products of urea hydrolysis either in the breath (13CO2, 14CO2), the urine or the blood, detection of Helicobacter pylori antigen in stool specimen. At present, no single test is sufficiently reliable to definitely detect colonisation by Helicobacter pylori, and a combination of two is recommended, if feasible. Choice of the test to be used is not straightforward and relies on a series of situations, i. e., clinical setting and local expertise and availability, that the clinician must consider to obtain the best diagnostic yeld. The challenge of Helicobacter pylori eradication is not very easy to obtain. The possible scenario and the use of a new proton pump inhibitor (esomeprazole) are reviewed and discussed.