Pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori-induced inflammation: A 'slow' bacterial infection?

Background. Helicobacter pylori is a human pathogen that persists in the stomach for years, or more likely, for decades. Virtually all infected hosts develop chronic gastritis. Clinical manifestations. The consequences of H. pylori infection include asymptomatic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and atrophic gastritis, with a subsequent risk of gastric cancer. The pathophysiology of a chronic infection such as that caused by H. pylori is complex. Conclusion. It may be most useful to consider H. pylori as a 'slow' bacterial pathogen, with both bacterial virulence factors and host responses contributing to tissue injury.