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| — | glossary:helicobacter_pylori 2009/09/17 10:46 current | ||
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| + | Helicobacter pylori: [[Bacteria]] that cause stomach inflammation (gastritis) and ulcers in the stomach. This bacteria is the most common cause of ulcers worldwide. It is often referred to as H. pylori. | ||
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| + | H. pylori [[infection]] is usually acquired from contaminated food and water and through person to person spread. The infection is common in crowded living conditions with poor sanitation. In countries with poor sanitation, 90% of the adult population can be infected. In the U.S., 30% of the adult population is infected. | ||
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| + | One out of six patients with H. pylori infection develops ulcers of the duodenum or the stomach. This bacteria is also believed to be associated with stomach [[cancer]] and a rare type of [[lymph node]] [[tumor]] called [[gastric MALT lymphoma]]. | ||
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| + | Infected persons usually carry the infection indefinitely, unless treated with medications to eradicate the bacteria. | ||