How to check for Helicobacter pylori?

Currently, more than half of the people in my country are infected with Helicobacter pylori. Many people suffer from appetite discomfort and will be found to have Helicobacter pylori after a breath test in the hospital.

1. What diseases are related to Helicobacter pylori infection?

Helicobacter pylori (Hp for short) is a spiral-shaped bacterium that exists in the stomach and duodenal bulb. Helicobacter pylori is closely related to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer.

But a positive Helicobacter pylori test does not mean that you will definitely get gastric cancer in the future. A positive Helicobacter pylori test is only one of the main factors for the development of gastric cancer.

2. Who needs to eradicate Hp?

1. Long-term use of NSAIDs:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase the risk of peptic ulcers in patients with Hp infection. For those who plan to use NSAIDs for a long time, including low-dose aspirin, eradication of Hp is recommended.

2. Long-term use of PPI (prazole):

In patients who take PPIs for a long time, gastric acid secretion decreases, and Hp colonization shifts from the gastric antrum to the gastric body, causing gastric body gastritis. Eradication of Hp can reduce or eliminate the risk of gastric body gastritis in patients who take PPIs for a long time.

3. Vitamin B12 deficiency:

Hp infection may be related to vitamin B12 malabsorption, but vitamin B12 deficiency is often associated with autoimmunity, and eradication of Hp can play an auxiliary role.

4. Gastric disease and related diseases

3. What are the benefits of eradicating Helicobacter pylori?

Eradicating Helicobacter pylori is the main means to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer; it is especially important for preventing the further development and deterioration of atrophic gastritis.

Eradicating Helicobacter pylori before intestinal metaplasia occurs may reverse the atrophy of the gastric mucosa and almost 100% prevent the occurrence of intestinal gastric cancer.

Eradication should be most beneficial before symptoms become present, with the best age being 18-40 years; however, eradication will be beneficial at any time.

4. How to check Helicobacter pylori?

According to relevant statistics, more than half of the world's population carries Helicobacter pylori, and in some areas even 80% of the people carry this bacterium. The Helicobacter pylori infection rate in my country is 40%~60%, making it one of the countries with a higher infection rate.

Helicobacter pylori is a Class I carcinogen and is detected as follows:

1. Breath test: C13 or C14 breath test. Currently, it is the most commonly used in clinical practice, accurate and convenient; however, due to the influence of recent medication, antibiotics need to be discontinued for 4 weeks and prazole drugs for 2 weeks. Carbon 14 is not suitable for pregnant women and children.

2. Blood test: Detect Helicobacter pylori antibodies and toxins in the blood. The disadvantage is that it may still be positive even after successful treatment, so it cannot be used as a follow-up test after treatment.

3. Rapid urease test: Take part of the patient's gastric antral mucosal tissue for testing. Taking a biopsy test during gastroscopy is an invasive examination.