According to a doctor-gastroenterologist of Cito Medical Center Aren Styopai Nersisyan.
Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections. Prevalence averages 50%, but can be over 80% (geographic variation). Helicobacter pylori infection is acquired at an average age of 12 years and may not manifest clinically for decades.
The range of Helicobacter-associated diseases is diverse: chronic gastritis (non-atrophic, atrophic), gastric and duodenal ulcer disease, gastric tumor diseases: adenocarcinoma, non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma (MALT lymphoma). There is also an association between Helicobacter pylori infection and undiagnosed iron deficiency anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and B12 deficiency anemia. This means that treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection is an important step in the prevention/treatment of associated conditions.
In any situation where Helicobacter pylori infection is detected, eradication therapy is recommended. Treatment includes drugs to reduce the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, proton pump inhibitors combined with antimicrobial agents, the use of 2 antimicrobial drugs is mandatory. Retesting for Helicobacter pylori infection after treatment is mandatory to confirm treatment success.
Especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the widespread use of a number of antimicrobial agents (macrolide and fluoroquinolone) has made the effective treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection significantly more challenging. A clinical situation that is an absolute contraindication to treatment has not yet been established. In case of allergy to any of the antimicrobial agents, it can be replaced with an antimicrobial agent of another group.
Helicobacter pylori treatment is an effective way to reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer. There is still no vaccine that reliably protects against Helicobacter pylori infection, but research is ongoing in this context.