What is Helicobacter Pylori?
According to data from the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists & Digestive Endoscopists and the Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy, Helicobacter pylori infection affects at least 30 percent of Italians, with peaks as high as 50 percent.
Helicobacter Pylori is a Gram-negative spiral-shaped bacterium that is found in the stomach. Its helical shape allows it to penetrate the mucus layer and anchor itself to the inner wall of the stomach, where it cannot be easily reached by the immune system.
Among its damaging effects, it secretes proteases and phospholipases that have a direct damaging action on epithelial tissues, creating conditions for the proliferation of bacteria.