From the Publisher
Recent interest in Helicobacter pylori dates from 1983 when Warren and Marshall "rediscovered" this spiral organism by reporting the first successful technique to cultivate this microorganism. Helicobacter pylori is clearly related to the presence of active chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer, both in adults and children. Very recently it has also been suggested that Helicobacter pylori might play an important role as a co-factor in the evolution towards gastric cancer. This is of special importance in view of the fact that asymptomatic carriers of Helicobacter pylori colonization can harvest this infection for a long period of time without experiencing any discomfort at all. The possibility exists that these individuals might be at a greater risk for developing gastric cancer at a later stage in their life. Epidemiological data about Helicobacter pylori infection have demonstrated that the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection varies in different countries and it has been suggested that an until now unrecognized genetic predisposition might be responsible for the higher prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in certain ethnic populations. Since Helicobacter pylori colonization may lead to an important gastrointestinal pathology with a possible risk for gastric cancer, the study of Helicobacter pylori infection is becoming an important matter of interest for public health. Recent discoveries suggest that the pediatric age group represents the ideal target population for epidemiological studies concerning the pathogenesis and epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection. In 1999 Helicobacter pylori infection in children can be considered as a chronic disease that will last most, if not all, of their life and eventually, in some subjects and because of other risk factors that remain to be defined, will contribute to the development of stomach and duodenal diseases.

FROM THE PUBLISHER