Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria.
Braz J Microbiol. 2022 Mar;53(1):33-50. doi: 10.1007/s42770-021-00675-0. Epub 2022 Jan 6.
Helicobacter pylori is an organism associated with ulcer disease and gastric cancer. The latter is one of the most prevalent malignancies and currently the fourth major cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The pathogen infects about 50% of the world population, and currently, no treatment ensures its total elimination. There has been an increase in our understanding of the pathophysiology and pathogenesis mechanisms of H. pylori over the years. H. pylori can induce several genetic alterations, express numerous virulence factors, and trigger diverse adaptive mechanisms during its adherence and colonization. For successful colonization and infection establishment, several effector proteins/toxins are released by the organism. Evidence is also available reporting spiral to coccoid transition as a unique tactic H. pylori uses to survive in the host's gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Thus, the virulence and pathogenicity of H. pylori are under the control of complex interplay between the virulence factors, host, and environmental factors. Expounding the role of the various virulence factors in H. pylori pathogenesis and clinical outcomes is crucial for vaccine development and in providing and developing a more effective therapeutic intervention. Here we critically reflect on H. pylori infection and delineate what is currently known about the virulence and pathogenesis mechanisms of H. pylori.
幽门螺杆菌是一种与溃疡病和胃癌相关的病原体。胃癌是最普遍的恶性肿瘤之一，目前是全球第四大癌症相关死亡原因。该病原体感染了约 50%的世界人口，目前没有任何治疗方法能确保其完全消除。近年来，我们对幽门螺杆菌的病理生理学和发病机制有了更多的了解。幽门螺杆菌可以诱导多种基因改变，表达多种毒力因子，并在其附着和定植过程中触发多种适应性机制。为了成功定植和感染建立，该生物体释放了几种效应蛋白/毒素。也有证据表明，螺旋体到球菌的转变是幽门螺杆菌在宿主胃肠道（GIT）中生存的独特策略。因此，幽门螺杆菌的毒力和致病性受到毒力因子、宿主和环境因素之间复杂相互作用的控制。阐述各种毒力因子在幽门螺杆菌发病机制和临床结果中的作用对于疫苗开发以及提供和开发更有效的治疗干预措施至关重要。在这里，我们批判性地探讨了幽门螺杆菌感染，并阐述了目前已知的幽门螺杆菌毒力和发病机制。
