H. Pylori Infection

Question 1

What type of bacteria is H. pylori?

Answer 1

Gram negative

Question 2

What does H. pylori cause 90% of?

Answer 2

Duodenal ulcers

Question 3

What type of ulcers is H. pylori responsible for?

Answer 3

Duodenal and gastric (less so)

Question 4

How does H. pylori cause a duodenal ulcer?

Answer 4

Buries into gastric epithelium
Neutralises pH of stomach
Damages epithelium

Question 5

How do you test for H. pylori?

Answer 5

Endoscopy- Rapid urease test on gastric biopsy

Question 6

What is the criteria for testing for H. pylori?

Answer 6

Patient can’t have taken:
-Anti-biotics or bismuth products for 4 weeks
-PPI for 2 weeks

Question 7

What is the treatment of a H. pylori infection?

Answer 7

Triple therapy

Question 8

What is triple therapy?

Answer 8

Amoxicillin/ Metronidazole
Clarithromycin
PPI

Question 9

What can long term use of a PPI cause?

Answer 9

Hypomagnesaemia (muscle aches)

Question 10

When should a repeat endoscopy be done?

Answer 10

4-8 weeks

Question 11

Why is endoscopy repeated after 4-8 weeks?

Answer 11

To ensure that h. pylori has been eradicated