Research of Helicobacter pylori infection in precancerous gastric lesions

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection has been considered to play significant roles in pathogenesis of peptic ulcer. Additionally Hp is associated with the development of gastric epithelial hyperplasia and lymphoid malignancies. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified Hp as a class I carcinogen and a definite cause of gastric cancer in humans. Hp infection first causes chronic active gastritis and may slowly lead to infection of whole stomach. In the late stages of infection, mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia (IM), and even dysplasia (DYS) occur[1]. Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), IM and DYS are considered markers for development of gastric cancer in high-risk individuals. In our study we analyzed Hp infection prevalence in 486 patients with precancerous gastric lesions.