Clinical aspects of infection with Helicobacter pylori

About 90% of patients with duodenal ulcer and 65% of those with gastric ulcer are infected with Helicobacter pylori. H. pylori infection can be diagnosed by examination of biopsy material obtained at endoscopy; by 14C or 13C-urea breath tests, or by serological means. The relapse rate of duodenal and gastric ulcers can be considerably reduced if the bacteria are eradicated. Some of the current treatment regimens are discussed.