Helicobacter Pylori (HP) causes one of the most frequent infections in humans. From its isolation, 24 years ago, the treatment of the upper gastro duodenal disorder has changed dramatically.

Nowadays, the peptic ulcer is treated like an infectious disease that can to be cured by the elimination of the originating agent. The role of the Helicobacter Pylori as factor of risk for gastric cancer has been established and its relation with other pathologies, such as: dyspepsia, and gastroesophageal reflux is being evaluated.

Therapy with antibiotics can be ineffective; HP's rate of resistance to antimicrobial is significant and generates adverse reactions. On the other hand, a vaccine does not exist, yet, that protects against the infection caused by this germ.

Epidemiology and Transmission 

The prevalence of this infection is closely related to socio-economic conditions. It is present in 80% of middle-aged adults in developing countries and in 20-50% of the same age population in developed countries. The infection is acquired by the ingestion of the bacterium, or through a direct person to person contact through saliva or contaminated waste material with vomit or feces. Additionally, the transmission through water is important in developing countries.

History of the Infection

Acute infection by H. pylori causes diminution of gastric hydrochloric acid (hypo chloride) that rarely is discovered. The chronic gastritis presents/displays itself when the infection becomes chronic, although more than of 90% of the patients do not have this disorder's symptoms. People who produce great amounts of acid develop gastritis, which predisposes them to developing duodenal ulcer. Those individuals which produce very little acid develop gastritis in the stomach with a predisposition towards gastric ulcer, and a sequence of events which rarely leads -in time- to Cancer or Gastric Lymphoma.

Clinical diagnosis:

The infection can be diagnosed by invasive methods such as with an endoscope biopsy and with non-invasive tests such as the test of urea in breath, serological examinations and search of feces antigens.  The selection of the test will depend on the clinical situation.

Treatment of the infection by H. Pylori:

The objective of the treatment is the eradication of the microbe, without producing secondary effects and without inducing bacterial resistance. The intention is not always achieved with synthetics treatment, due to resistance to antibiotics and to the secondary effects they may cause.

Given that the stomach's acid media influences the antibiotics' effectiveness, what is called the triple-therapy is used which includes an antacid combined with two antimicrobials during 14 days. The agents used in these regimes can generate resistance in 10 to 30% of the cases, reason why the success rate of treatment diminishes.

The use of combinations of medical plants formulated under the optics of Systemic Medicine, complements the conventional treatment, improving the treatments' success rate in patients infected with H. pylori while at the same time increases their energy levels, diminishing symptoms and improving their quality of life.