Helicobacter pylori infection in the Caribbean: update in management
Lee, M.G.; Barrow, K.O.; Edwards, C.N.
West Indian Medical Journal 50(1): 8-10
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-3144 PMID: 11398298 Document Number: 534957
Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach is one of the commonest chronic infections worldwide and in the Caribbean, over 50% of the population are affected. H pylori is probably transmitted from person to person by oro-faecal and oro-oral means. H pylori is directly associated with peptic ulcer disease, chronic antral gastritis, gastric carcinoma and B-cell lymphoma of the stomach. In patients with peptic ulcers and H pylori infection, eradication of infection with antibiotics significantly decreases recurrence of ulcers. All patients with H pylori related disease should be tested and treated if positive. The treatment of H pylori infection has evolved over the years but at present triple therapy which includes two antibiotics is recommended.