[Helicobacter pylori].

Helicobacter pylori was first characterized as an obligate bacterial pathogen in 1983. Since then, substantial advances have been made in understanding the pathophysiology of H. pylori infection, optimizing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, and expanding testing and treatment-including in the prevention of gastric malignancies. The recognition of H. pylori-associated gastritis as an infectious disease led to the recommendation to initiate eradication therapy after any confirmed detection of the pathogen. The marked increase in resistance to commonly used antibiotics has prompted revisions in both national and international clinical guidelines. These include changes to empirical first-line therapy and have fueled ongoing debate regarding the pros and cons of routine pre-treatment antimicrobial susceptibility testing. This CME article provides an overview of the clinical relevance of the topic and also explains indications and methods for guideline-based diagnostics and therapy.