Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Helicobacter Pylori Infections in Korea.
10.3904/kjm.2015.89.2.133
- Author:
Beom Jin KIM
1
;
Jae Gyu KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jgkimd@cau.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Helicobacter pylori;
Seroepidemiologic studies;
Epidemiology;
Virulence factors;
Immunity
- MeSH:
Adaptive Immunity;
Epidemiology*;
Gangwon-do;
Gastritis;
Genetic Variation;
Helicobacter pylori*;
Helicobacter*;
Humans;
Korea*;
Prevalence;
Public Health;
Seroepidemiologic Studies;
Stomach Neoplasms;
Virulence Factors
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
2015;89(2):133-141
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) commonly infects humans worldwide. However, only limited proportions of infected populations develop clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic gastritis to gastric cancer. A Korean nationwide survey revealed that the overall H. pylori seroprevalence was 66.9% in 1998, and significantly decreased in later years in all age groups to 59.6% in 2005 and 54.4% in 2011. In terms of geographical regions, the seroprevalence trended significantly downward in most areas over time, except in Kyungsang and Kangwon. The various outcomes of H. pylori infection are caused by imbalances between bacterial virulence factors, host factors including genetic diversity, and environmental influences. H. pylori infection triggers responses by almost all forms of innate and acquired immunity. In the present review, we describe the epidemiology and pathophysiology of H. pylori infection in Korea. A better understanding of the prevalence trend and the mechanisms of immune responses to H. pylori infection will allow public health authorities to develop novel therapeutic strategies.
