Helicobacter Pylori

Pylori can inflame the lining of the stomach and cause inflammation (gastritis). Long-term untreated infections with Helicobacter pylori can (rarely) lead to gastric cancer. Helicobacter recognizes the important role of Helicobacter pylori in gastric ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, and primary gastric lymphoma. Currently, new Helicobacter species are being discovered regularly.

Pylori can be found in between 50 and 75 percent of worldwide people. The majority of people do not become ill as a result of it. Infections with H. pylori are most prevalent in childhood. Developing nations are more likely to have this problem. It is estimated that approximately 5 per cent of children as young as 10 in the U.S. are infected with Helicobacter pylori. Children living in a congested or poorly decontaminated area are at risk of contracting an infectious disease. H. pylori can be found in a variety of places, including plaque, saliva, and excrement. The infection helicobacter pylori can spread by kissing or spreading the bacteria from the hands of a person who has not been completely washed after defecation. The infection can also spread through water and food contaminated with H. pylori. H. pylori infection is common. About two-thirds of the world’s population has it in their bodies. Most people do not cause ulcers or other symptoms. If you are struggling, there are medicines that can help kill bacteria and heal wounds.

Damage caused by Infection Helicobacter Pylori

Pylori can multiply within the layer of mucus of the belly lining and duodenum. The microorganism secretes an enzyme named uneasiness that further turns urea into ammonia. Hence, ammonia mainly gives protection to the microorganism from belly acid. When Helicobacter pylori grows, it reaches into the tissues of the belly, inflicting gastritis and digestive ulcers.

Risk factors

Children are more likely to develop H. pylori infection. This is mainly because children do not always practice proper hygiene. The environment and living conditions of people are H. It can affect your risk of getting H. pylori infection. The risk is high if:

• Living in a developing country
• No access to clean water
• Share your home with others infected with Helicobacter pylori
• Live in overcrowding

Symptoms of the Infection 

Maximum children with bacteria helicobacter infection have no symptoms.

Symptoms and signs are symptoms of gastritis or gastric ulcer disease and include:

• Burning pain within the stomach (more common hours after meals and during night), where your pain lasts minutes and can come as well as go for days
• Weight loss, that too unplanned
• Gas
• Nausea as well as vomiting (hematemesis)
• Indigestion (dyspepsia).
• Burp.
• Decreased appetite. 
• Dark stool (due to bloody stool)

The complications of H. pylori infections

Helicobacter can cause gastric ulcers, but the ulcer or the infection itself can cause more serious complications. These include:

1. Internal bleeding can occur if a gastric ulcer ruptures a blood vessel and is associated with iron deficiency anaemia.
2. Obstruction: that can occur when something like a tumour is preventing food from leaving the stomach
3. Perforations: that can occur when an ulcer breaks through the stomach wall
4. Peritonitis: an infection of the peritoneum or the inner layer of the abdomen
5. It may also increase the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma, a type of gastric cancer. According to a large cohort study in 2019, this risk is high for smokers and blacks / African Americans, Latino and Hispanic Americans, and Asians. However, most people infected with Helicobacter do not develop stomach cancer.

Diagnosis and Tests

Stool culture: Look for abnormal bacteria in the digestive tract that can cause diarrhoea and other problems. A small amount of stool sample is taken and sent to the laboratory. The test will tell you if you have any abnormal bacteria within a few days.

Blood tests: These look for cells (antibodies) that fight infections that suggest they have bacteria.

Breath test: You can check the carbon after swallowing a urea tablet containing carbon molecules. If carbon is found, it means that H. pylori made the enzyme urease. This enzyme makes your stomach acid slightly acidic (neutralises it). It weakens the inner wall of the stomach.

Upper endoscopy: Also called EGD (esophagogastroduodenal endoscopy). This test examines the lining of the oesophagus (oesophagus), stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Use a thin illuminated tube or endoscope. A camera is attached to one end of the tube. The tube is passed through the mouth to the throat. Then it falls into your oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

Upper gastrointestinal examination:  At the hospital, the patient drinks a liquid containing a substance called barium and takes an X-ray. The liquid covers the throat and stomach so that it stands out clearly in the picture.

Computed tomography (CT) scan:  A powerful radiograph that takes detailed pictures of the body

Helicobacter Pylori Infection Treatment

Ulcers are treated with a combination of antibiotics and acid-reducing proton pump inhibitors.

Antibiotics: Common alternatives are amoxicillin, metronidazole, clarithromycin,  as well as tetracycline. Therefore, 2 antibiotics are given.

Bismuth salicylate: This drug can be added to an antibiotic proton pump inhibitor combination. This medicine protects the inner wall of the stomach.

Prevention

Pylori infection can be prevented by taking some simple measures like:

• Wash hands before preparing or eating food and after going to the toilet
• Avoid unclean food and water
• Do not eat anything that is not completely cooked
• Avoid food provided by people who have not washed their hands

Conclusion

Combination therapy is usually given for 14 days. The new drug Talisia® is a combination of two antibiotics (rifabutin and amoxicillin) and a proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole) in one capsule