Public Health Perspectives of Zoonotic Potential of H. pylori
Public Health Perspectives of Zoonotic Potential of H. pylori
Onifade Sururoh Joy1,2, E.F. Aluko2,4, Olowe Rita Ayanbolade1,3 and Olugbenga Adekunle Olowe1,2*
ABSTRACT
Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium that colonizes the human gastric mucosa, leading to various gastrointestinal diseases, including chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer. H. pylori infect over 50% of the population worldwide, with particularly high prevalence rates in developing countries due to poor sanitation and limited access to healthcare. Hence, it is considered a major global health concern, while many individuals remain asymptomatic, persistent infection can lead to severe pathologies. The bacterium’s ability to survive the harsh acidic environment of the stomach is facilitated by its urease activity, which neutralizes gastric acid, and its motility, which allows it to penetrate the mucus layer. Virulence factors, such as the cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA), play a critical role in the pathogenicity of H. pylori, promoting cellular damage and immune evasion. Transmission occurs predominantly through fecal-oral and oral-oral routes, but growing evidence suggests a potential animal source of transmission, complicating the epidemiology of the infection and its control. Clinically, H. pylori infection presents with a range of symptoms, from asymptomatic colonization to severe conditions like peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. Diagnostic methods include non-invasive techniques, such as urea breath tests and stool antigen tests, while endoscopy is typically reserved for more severe cases. Prevention primarily revolves around improved sanitation and hygiene practices, while treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors. However, the increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges to eradication efforts, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies and the development of a vaccine.
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