Helicobacter pylori-associated comorbidity

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is known to lead to various diseases such as gastric and duodenal ulcers, chronic gastritis and malignant diseases, including MALT lymphoma and stomach cancer. To date, various factors of pathogenicity and virulence of the H. pylori bacterium have been studied. The interaction of infection with host cells leads to the induction of inflammatory responses through the release of cytokines, activation of apoptosis or proliferation, which leads to inflammation and dysfunction of the epithelial barrier. This process can facilitate the movement of H. pylori virulence factors and inflammatory mediators into the bloodstream and promote or enhance the development of a systemic inflammatory response and the possible clinical effects of H. pylori infections outside the stomach. The purpose of this review is to clarify the available data on H. pylori-associated comorbidity with diseases of the cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine systems, autoimmune diseases and some other pathologies outside the digestive system.