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Reinfection versus recrudescence in Helicobacter pylori infection
Author(s) -
VAN DER ENDE A.,
VAN DER HULST R. W. M.,
DANKERT J.,
TYTGAT G. N. J.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2036.11.s1.10.x
Subject(s) - helicobacter pylori , medicine , infection rate , helicobacter pylori infection , socioeconomic status , antimicrobial , spirillaceae , immunology , gastroenterology , surgery , gastritis , environmental health , population , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Antimicrobial treatment of Helicobacter pylori is the proper management strategy in patients with ulcers. A high rate of H. pylori reinfection after successful eradication therapy however, may give rise to ulcer recurrence. The risk of reinfection, depending on the prevalence and the rate of acquisition of H. pylori infection, varies with socioeconomic status, age and geographical location. The rate of reinfection may vary in a similar way. The available data in the literature reveal that reinfection by H. pylori is low or absent in developed countries and may be lower than the initial rate of acquisition. In addition, reported cases of H. pylori reinfection are often cases of recrudescent H. pylori infection. Acquisition rate in developing countries is high, so the reinfection rate is expected to be higher than in developed countries. However, studies discriminating reinfection from recrudescence are lacking and therefore more data from developing regions are needed to settle if ‘cured once, cured forever’ holds true.