H. pylori Basics
What is Helicobacter pylori commonly associated with in terms of stomach conditions?
Peptic ulcer disease and chronic gastritis.
Besides peptic ulcers, name another serious condition H. pylori infection can lead to.
Gastric cancer.
True or False? H. pylori is primarily transmitted through contaminated food and water.
False. It’s believed to be transmitted mainly from person to person, especially within families.
What type of non-invasive test is commonly used to detect H. pylori?
Urea breath test.
What is the primary goal of H. pylori eradication therapy?
To cure peptic ulcers and reduce risks of gastric cancer.
Approximately what percentage of the world’s population is infected with H. pylori?
Around 50%.
What percentage of infected individuals may develop peptic ulcer disease in their lifetime?
15% to 20%.
What factor is most strongly associated with higher H. pylori infection rates in childhood?
Lower socioeconomic status.
Which invasive method is used to confirm H. pylori infection during endoscopy?
Biopsy with urease testing or histology.
What three-drug combination is commonly used for H. pylori treatment?
A proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin (PPI-AC).
True or False? Most H. pylori infections are acquired during adulthood.
False. Most infections occur in early childhood.
Which type of lymphoma is associated with H. pylori infection?
Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.
Name two routes suspected in H. pylori transmission.
Gastro-oral and oral-oral routes.
True or False? Serology is a reliable method to confirm eradication after treatment.
False. Serology is not useful for confirming eradication.
Why might clarithromycin-based therapies be ineffective in some areas?
Due to high primary resistance rates to clarithromycin.
What type of bacterium is H. pylori (shape and oxygen requirement)?
It is a spiral-shaped, microaerophilic bacterium.
Name one risk factor that increases the likelihood of H. pylori progressing to gastric cancer.
High salt intake, smoking, or a diet low in antioxidants.
In which global region is the prevalence of H. pylori-related gastric cancer highest?
East Asia, including Japan, Korea, and eastern China.
What new test type is promising for providing rapid detection of H. pylori and resistance?
PCR-based tests for detecting antibiotic resistance.
In regions with high clarithromycin resistance, which quadruple therapy is often recommended?
Bismuth-based quadruple therapy.
Which organization has developed a guideline for managing H. pylori globally?
The World Gastroenterology Organization.
What recent classification has recognized H. pylori-associated dyspepsia as a separate entity?
ICD-11 classification.
Name one reason why H. pylori infection rates are declining in developed countries.
Improvements in hygiene and socioeconomic conditions.
What should be avoided for at least 1-2 weeks before performing a non-invasive test post-treatment?
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
True or False? Repeat use of the same antibiotic therapy after failure is recommended.
False. Repeating the same therapy is likely to fail due to resistance.