[Duodenal ulcer and Helicobacter pylori infection]

The research accomplishment of Australian investigators Marshall and Warren, published in 1983, has entirely changed our understanding of ulcer genesis and proposed a new strategy in diagnostics and therapy of peptic ulcer disease. The key etiopathogenetic role of Helicobacter pylori has been recognised. Marshall confirmed on himself that Helicobacter pylori, as an infectious agent, fulfilled all Koch's postulates. The bacterial infection caused the mucosal inflammatory changes in his stomach which were rapidly resolved by antibiotics. During later clinical and experimental investigations the association of Helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcer has also been proved. Etiopathogenetic influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on duodenal ulcer development is nowadays very well known. Diagnostic guidelines, the modes of treatment and clinical management of these patients are mostly precisely defined. In this article, besides the general review of modern knowledge about Helicobacter pylori infection concerning epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, diagnostics and duodenal ulcer therapy, we are going to present also our results in the management of the large group of patients with duodenal peptic ulcer or ulcer scars.