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Helicobacter pylori Infection

Diagnosis, Eradication, and Confirmation of Cure

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Published:

This content is for general information; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları) department. Book Appointment →

What is Helicobacter pylori Infection?

H. pylori is a spiral, urease-producing gram-negative bacterium that infects the gastric epithelium, affecting approximately half the global population.

Infection causes chronic active gastritis and is linked to peptic ulcers, gastric adenocarcinoma, and gastric MALT lymphoma.

Noninvasive tests include urea breath test and stool antigen; invasive testing is via endoscopic biopsy with rapid urease, histology, or culture.

Treatment choice depends on local antibiotic resistance patterns, particularly clarithromycin resistance.

Symptoms

Dyspepsia with epigastric burning and bloating
Nausea and early satiety
Iron-deficiency anemia unexplained by other causes
Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Active peptic ulcer disease symptoms (bleeding, pain)
Often asymptomatic despite active chronic gastritis

Risk Factors

Childhood acquisition via fecal-oral or oral-oral route
Crowded living conditions and poor sanitation
Developing country residence
Family history of gastric cancer
Shared utensils and premasticated food feeding
Close contact with infected household members

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • Dyspepsia under age 60 without alarm features (test-and-treat strategy)
  • Active peptic ulcer, MALT lymphoma, or after early gastric cancer resection
  • Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia or immune thrombocytopenia

Treatment Methods

01
Bismuth quadruple therapy (PPI + bismuth + tetracycline + metronidazole) for 14 days — first-line in high-resistance areas
02
Concomitant therapy (PPI + amoxicillin + clarithromycin + metronidazole) for 14 days in low-resistance areas
03
Levofloxacin triple or rifabutin-based therapy as salvage after first-line failure
04
Verify eradication 4 weeks after treatment with urea breath test or stool antigen (off PPI for 2 weeks)
05
Avoid clarithromycin-based triple therapy if prior macrolide exposure or high local resistance
06
Treat partners and household members only if symptomatic; no routine screening of asymptomatic contacts

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları) department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Learn About Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları) Department

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Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.