RESUMO
The purpose of the communication is to review the different aspects of the Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori infection. The first part of the communication is devoted to the description of the different gastric pathologies induced by the Helicobacter pylori infection and to the different methods used for the detection of this infection. Today a consensus assesses a causal role to Helicobacter pylori in the development of chronic active gastritis (or type B gastritis), in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer, and a major contributing factor in the development of peptic ulcer disease. The possible role played by this bacterium in the development of non-ulcer dyspepsia is still unclear. H. pylori infections can be detected using different methods including invasive methods--requiring an endoscopy (e.g.: culture of the micro-organism, urease test, microscopy) and non-invasive methods (e.g.: breath test, serology). Each of these methods has advantages but also some disadvantages, and none shows an absolute sensitivity and specificity. The second part of the presentation analyses the results obtained with a serologic method using a specific fractioned and purified antigenic complex extracted from Helicobacter pylori. This report demonstrates a good correlation with the other detection methods. Serology appears also as a useful tool for the therapeutical monitoring of infected patients. Serological results must however be interpreted in the light of the complete clinical examination of the patient.
