Helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcer

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Helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcer

Many peptic ulcers are caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. H. pylori live in the mucous lining of the stomach and may cause inflammation that could lead to an ulcer.

The infection may spread through contact with fecal material, which may occur if people do not wash their hands after going to the bathroom. Because of this, a person's risk for developing an infection may increase if a family member also has the infection.¹ Although infection with H. pylori is common in the United States, only a small number of people who have H. pylori will develop peptic ulcer disease.

Certain factors may make a person who has an H. pylori infection susceptible to developing an ulcer. These factors may include:

• The use of certain medications, such as aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Excessive alcohol use.
• Other illnesses.

People who have had a peptic ulcer and are infected with H. pylori need treatment to cure the infection to lower their risk of developing another peptic ulcer. Treatment with a combination of medications is highly successful at curing an H. pylori infection.² Sometimes H. pylori bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics, which can cause treatment failure.

References

Citations

1. Dominici P, et al. (1999). Familial clustering of Helicobacter pylori infection: Population-based study. BMJ, 319(7209): 537–541.

2. Howden CW, Hunt RH (1998). Guidelines for the management of Helicobacter pylori infection. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 93(12): 2330–2338.

Credits

Last updated:	January 12, 2006
Author:	Ralph Poore
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Andrew H. Soll, MD - Gastroenterology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Terrina Vail