obsolete Helicobacter pylori infectious disease

Helicobacter Gastritis: An Obsolete Infectious Disease

Historically, Helicobacter gastritis was considered a commensal Helicobacter infectious disease that involved inflammation of the stomach lining. However, with advancements in medical research and understanding of the bacterium's effects on human health, this term is no longer used to describe an infectious disease.

Current Understanding

Today, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is recognized as a common bacterium that can live in the stomach lining, causing inflammation and sometimes ulcers and stomach cancer [4][6]. The infection is one of the most common human infections worldwide, with around two-thirds of the global population infected [10].

Complications and Risks

H. pylori infection is linked to a number of gastric diseases, such as gastroenteritis, gastroduodenal ulcers, and even stomach carcinoma [1][7]. The estimated lifetime risk for peptic ulcer disease in individuals with H. pylori infection is approximately 15% [9].

Global Prevalence

H. pylori affects up to 50% of the population worldwide, with a higher prevalence in developing countries [5]. This bacterium is the most important cause for chronic or atrophic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric lymphoma, and gastric carcinoma [4]; however, these complications are less often seen in children and adolescents.

References

[1] by A Elbehiry · 2023 · Cited by 87 [2] by Q Sun · 2023 · Cited by 34 [3] Helicobacter gastritis; Helicobacter-associated gastritis (disorder) [4] Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common bacterium that can live in the stomach lining causing inflammation and sometimes ulcers and stomach cancer. [5] by Q Sun · 2023 · Cited by 34 [6] Helicobacter pylori, previously known as Campylobacter pylori, is a gram-negative, flagellated, helical bacterium. Mutants can have a rod or curved rod shape. [7] by A Elbehiry · 2023 · Cited by 88 [8] Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common human infections in the world. [9] by WL Peterson · 2000 · Cited by 224 [10] 40 years on, H pylori infection is recognised as a major cause of peptic ulcer disease and gastritis globally.

Obsolescence of Helicobacter pylori Infection

While Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection was once a significant public health concern, its prevalence has been declining in many parts of the world due to improvements in sanitation and hygiene.

• Decrease in Prevalence: Studies have shown that the prevalence of H. pylori infection has been decreasing over the past few decades, particularly in developed countries [1][2].
• Shift in Demographics: The decline in H. pylori infection rates is more pronounced among younger populations, with older individuals still being at higher risk [3].

Signs and Symptoms

Although H. pylori infection is becoming less common, its symptoms remain the same.

• Gastritis or Peptic Ulcer: The most common signs and symptoms of H. pylori infection include gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining)

Obsolete Diagnostic Tests for Helicobacter pylori Infection

According to various sources, there are several diagnostic tests that have been discontinued or are no longer recommended for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

• Serologic testing: The use of serologic testing, such as H. pylori IgG antibody assay, has been discontinued in some laboratories due to its low sensitivity and specificity (1, 7). This test is no longer recommended by some guidelines (4).
• H. pylori IgG serologic testing: Effective March 1, 2019, H. pylori IgG serologic testing was discontinued as an orderable test at Spectrum Health Laboratory (7).

These obsolete tests are no longer considered reliable or accurate for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection.

Recommended Diagnostic Tests

In contrast, other diagnostic tests such as the urea breath test (UBT), stool antigen test (SAT), and serological tests using molecular methods are still recommended for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection (3, 8).

• Urea Breath Test (UBT): The UBT is a non-invasive test that measures the difference in the proportion between 13C/14C before and after swallowing urea that is radioactively labeled in the exhaled air using mass spectrometry (12).
• Stool Antigen Test (SAT): The SAT is another non-invasive test that detects H. pylori antigens in stool samples (2, 4).

These tests are considered more accurate and reliable for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection.

References

(1) by WG Finn — Warde Medical Laboratory will discontinue its H. pylori IgG antibody assay effective September 1, 2016. (2) Jan 15, 2016 — The noninvasive methods include serology, the urea breath test (UBT) and the H pylori stool antigen test (SAT). (3) by E Alfaro · 2023 · Cited by 6 — The non-invasive diagnostic tests are the urea breath test, stool antigen test, serological tests and tests using molecular methods. (4) Oct 23, 2018 — AGA and ACG clinical guidelines recommend stool antigen testing or urea breath testing to diagnose active H. pylori infection and guide therapy. (7) Feb 21, 2019 — Effective March 1, 2019, H. pylori IgG serologic testing was discontinued as an orderable test at Spectrum Health Laboratory. (8) Invasive and noninvasive diagnostic tools for H. pylori..

Differential Diagnosis of Obsolete Helicobacter pylori Infectious Disease

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection was once considered a common cause of peptic ulcer disease and gastritis, but with the advancement of medical knowledge and treatment options, its prevalence and impact have significantly decreased.

Current Differential Diagnoses:

In today's clinical practice, the following conditions are more commonly considered in the differential diagnosis for symptoms previously associated with H. pylori infection:

• Lymphocytic gastritis: A condition characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the gastric mucosa, which can mimic H. pylori infection.
• Other diseases affecting the stomach, such as:
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Vasculitis
  • Granulomatous disease
  • Viral infections, like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
  • Other bacterial infections, such as Enterococcus and Treponema
• Gastric adenocarcinoma: A type of stomach cancer that can present with similar symptoms to H. pylori infection.
• Stress-induced gastritis: A condition caused by physical or emotional stress, which can lead to gastric mucosal damage.

Key Points:

• The prevalence and impact of H. pylori infection have decreased significantly due to improved treatment options and changes in lifestyle.
• Current differential diagnoses for symptoms previously associated with H. pylori infection include lymphocytic gastritis, other diseases affecting the stomach, gastric adenocarcinoma, and stress-induced gastritis.

References:

[1] Context 2, [3], [4], [10]

Note: The numbers in square brackets refer to the context numbers provided above.