Main description:

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common infections in the world, and while most of those colonised by H. pylori will remain symptom free, about 20% of them may develop serious gastroduodenal disease including peptic ulcers or gastric cancer. H. pylori is the only bacterium linked to the development of cancer and consequently it is an important focus of research. Moreover, H. pylori may be related to a wide range of extra-gastrointestinal disease such as coronary heart disease, stroke, migraine, rosaceae and gall bladder disease. And, although the incidence of H. pylori infection is falling in industrialized countries it remains an important pathogen globally and as the prevalence of antibiotic resistance increases, the eradication rate of the organism is falling with a consequent failure to cure the ulcer disease. Against this background, this new work sets out the pathology, clinical presentation and options for treatment of H. pylori infection.
An important reference not only for clinicians but also microbiologists, it provides in a single volume an uptodate summary of our current knowledge of this organism and the many ways in which it impacts upon public health in all parts of the world.

Contents:

Table of Contents Chapter 1 : Helicobacter pylori: Discovery, Metabolism, Genome & Taxonomy * Discovery * Helicobacter Structure * Helicobacter Metabolism * Helicobacter Culture * Helicobacter Genome * Helicobacter Genetics * Helicobacter Taxonomy Chapter 2: Helicobacter pylori: Epidemiology & Colonisation * Epidemiology * Colonisation & Persistence Chapter 3: Helicobacter pylori: Clinical * Anatomy of the Oesophagus & Stomach * Intra-Gastric Conditions * Acute infection * Extra Gastric Conditions * Conditions of the Small and Large Intestine * Conditions of the Pancreato-Hepato-Biliary System * Extra Gastrointestinal Conditions Chapter 4: Helicobacter pylori: Pathogenesis * Virulence * Surface damaging factors -Urease -Phospholipase -Alcohol dehydrogenase -Vacuolating Cytoxin * Other enzymes * Affects on Gastric Physiology -Acid Secretion -Leptin, Grehlin, Appetitie and Obesity * Helicobacter pylori Type IV secretion and intracellular signalling * Inflammation and immunopathology -Inflammation -Immunopathology * Pathological effects of colonization by Helicobacter pylori -Ulcer -Cancer Chapter 5: Helicobacter pylori: Diagnosis * Test parameters * Invasive tests - Endoscopy -Histology -Culture -Rapid urease test -Molecular tests * Non-invasive tests -Serological tests -Near patient test -Active tests: C-urea breath test Stool antigen test -Cost effectiveness and strategies based on pre-test probability of infection * Biochemical endoscopy * Serological tests * CagA and vacA antibodies * Tests on saliva and urine Chapter 6: Helicobacter pylori: Management * Populations requiring treatment * philosophy of current treatment * therapeutic targets -Antibiotics -Proton pump inhibitors -H-2 receptor antagonists -Other agents * Vaccines * Disease in different population groups -helicobacter pylori, dyspepsia and PUD -helicobacter pylori and Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux disease (GORD) -helicobacter pylori and Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -prevention of gastric cancer * Current therapies -comparison with standard 7-10 day triple therapy -eradication rate in peptic ulcer an non-ulcer dyspepsia patients -role of different proton pump inhibitors -eradication rate in children -eradication rate in elderly patients -factors affecting eradication rate -compliance and side-effects -rescue therapy after sequential regimen failure * Novel approaches to eradication of helicobacter pylori -homeopathic remedies -photodynamic therapy -inhibition of adhesion -nanotechnology