Helicobacter pylori in Romania: Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Treatment

In the last two decades, Romanians dealt with post-revolution economic problems and extensive reforms. In this context we analyzed the prevalence trends of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, focused more on northwestern region of our country. An interesting part of our report describes the prevalence of Helicobacter species in pets; coinfection with different strains of Helicobacter such as H. pylori, H. felis and H. heilmannii being identified in dogs and cats. Specific risk factors were analyzed, like intrafamilial transmission, occupational exposure and zoonotic transmission, as H. pylori was proved to be a pathogenic factor in cats and dogs. Diagnostic methods used for clinical and research purposes are comparative debated in humans and animals. Original Romanian research about H. pylori involvement in gastro-duodenal pathology is also presented. Our studies focused both on human and animal pathology, in functional and organic disorders (from chronic gastritis till carcinogenesis). Some remarks are done about clinical and experimental treatment. The efficacy of actual treatment in use is debated as the eradication rates are very low using first line therapy.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter species infection, epidemiology, lifestyle, seroprevalence, zoonotic risk, intrafamilial transmission, virulence factor, pathogenesis, chronic gastritis, carcinogenesis, pathology, premalignant gastric lesions, diagnostic methods, eradication therapy, pets.