What is Helicobacter pylori

Most peptic ulcers are caused by Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in the stomach. H Pylori produces urease which neutralizes the stomach's acid and allows the bacteria to thrive in the acid free zone and is responsible for causing 80% to 90% of all peptic ulcers.

Latest Treatment Of Helicobacter Pylori Infections
 

A new emerging product called Bioeffective A has recently been approved by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration as a new complementary medicine substance. It has a broad range of applications which includes aiding in recovery from diseases of the digestive system. Recent trials with Bioeffective A which have showed among other things an ability to deal with methicillin resistant strains of bacteria. The potential contribution that Bioeffective A could make to the eradication of Helicobacter Pylori was presented at a major international Gastroenterology conference which was held in St Petersburg in May 2007.
 

Scientists have also developed a chewing gum’ to do the big trick of killing h. pylori. Blended neatly into this commonly used confectionery would be the antibiotic that can kill the bacteria called H. Pylori, which causes stomach cancer.

Extracts from pistachio nuts have also shown anti-bacterial properties and can kill H. pylori infections. A European company is trialling the blended extract with chewing gum meaning it can be delivered in the form of a chewable, potent drug. The finished product looks to be available in 2008.


Traditional Treatments Of Helicobactor Pylori Infection
 

You won't have to live with the pain and discomfort of you ulcers anymore if you get the right treatment. If H. Pylori infection is detected in peptic ulcer patients, the normal procedure is to eradicate the H. pylori and allow the ulcer to heal. The current first-line of treatment is a one week triple-therapy. The Sydney gastroenterolgist Thomas Borody invented the first triple therapy in 1987. The triple therapy consists of amoxicillin, clarithromycin and a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole. However sometimes a different proton pump inhibitor is substituted, or metronidazole is used in place of amoxicillin in those allergic to penicillin. This therapy has revolutionized the treatment of gastric ulcers and has made a cure to the disease possible, where previously symptom-control using antacids, H2-antagonists or proton pump inhibitors alone was the only option.
 

The problem with H Pylori is that it is becoming increasingly resistant to most antibiotics currently prescribed for ulcers. This results in initial treatment failure and requires additional rounds of antibiotic therapy or alternative strategies. For resistant cases, a quadruple therapy may be used. Bismuth compounds are also effective in combination with the above drugs. For the treatment of clarithromycin-resistant strains of H. pylori the use of levofloxacin as part of the therapy has been recommended.
 

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