Helicobacter pylori and extra-digestive diseases

Helicobacter pylori is a recently rediscovered Gram-negative bacteria that causes peptic ulcer disease, gastric lymphoma and gastric carcinoma. Helicobacter pylori achieves its pathogenetic role by triggering an intense leucocyte infiltration of the gastric submucosa which is mediated by proinflammatory cytokines. This pathogenetic mechanism is common to many other diseases and therefore, Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence has also been investigated in other diseases. It is now known that H. pylori seropositivity is associated with an increasing number of cardiovascular, respiratory extra-gastroduodenal digestive, neurological, skin, autoimmune, growth and miscellaneous disorders. Although the precise role for H. pylori is unknown in these diseases, it is of tremendous interest to most clinicians and scientists as H. pylori is amenable to eradication therapy using simple and reliable drug regimens. The conditions associated with H. pylori seropositivity are highlighted in this concise article. (C) 1999 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd.