• A spiral-shaped Gram-negative bacterium, which damages stomach and duodenal tissue.
• Produces and secretes urease, which breaks down urea into CO2 and NH3.
• NH3 neutralises gastric acid.
• H. pylori penetrates mucus barrier, facilitating acid penetration.
• NH3, other bacterial products, and acid damage epithelial cells resulting in gastritis, ulcers and increasing the risk of stomach cancer

PC

Most people with H. pylori infection will never have any signs or symptoms. It's not clear why this is, but some people may be born with more resistance to the harmful effects of H. pylori.

When signs or symptoms do occur with H. pylori infection, they may include:

• An ache or burning pain in your abdomen
• Abdominal pain that's worse when your stomach is empty
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Frequent burping
• Bloating
• Unintentional weight loss

Investigations

H. pylori test is offered to anyone with dyspepsias - They need 2 weeks without using a PPI before testing for H. pylori for an accurate result.

Tests