Specialist alerted on high infection rate by Helicobacter pylori in Chile – G5Neticias

Academic of the University of Talca explained that this bacterium is a silent and underestimated threat, which is related to the development of serious pathologies, such as gastric cancer.

The Helicobacter pylori, “is a gram negative bacterium that is housed in the stomach and invades the different layers of the structure of the gastric tissue,” explained the academic and researcher of the UTALCA, Rodrigo Moore Carrasco, who also explained that, “although its presence is directly associated with the development of gastric cancer, not all individuals that carry it and there are other complications produced by This bacterium. ”

Classified as type 1 carcinogen by the world Health Organization (WHO), H.Pylori shows a high presence in Chile, over the world average. “In addition, its distribution in our country varies depending on the region: while we find low -carrying levels in the north, in the southern and southern area of ​​the country we can register a prevalence of more than 70% of the population,” added the specialist.

When asked about the differences in their geographical distribution, Moore indicated that “there is no clarity of the reasons, but there is scientific evidence that shows that the countries that guide their coast towards the Pacific have higher levels than the countries that are inland or look towards the Atlantic Ocean.”

The specialist explained that in the Maule region, poverty and heterogeneous access to health, “they make a high prevalence present. On the other hand, it is speculated that the presence of pesticides in the environment caused by intense agricultural work could contribute, although there is no direct scientific evidence of this fact.”

The academic highlighted the scientific work of the professors Loreto Núñez and Gloria Icaza of the University of Talca itself, who conducted studies where it is demonstrated that, access to health is tremendously important and gravitant in these rates. “In places where there is less possibilities of accessing health, more deaths from gastric cancer occur,” he said.

Diagnosis and treatment challenges

The best way to detect the infection, said the specialist, is the high digestive endoscopy, which allows the state of the mucosa to be observed directly and take samples. However, in Chile, access to this exam is limited, which makes early detection difficult, according to Moore. In Japan, he exemplified, with statistics similar to ours, “they have implemented a screening system with massive endoscopy and on behalf of the State.”

In the treatment of this problem, combinations of antibiotics are used that are effective in the eradication of the bacteria, although its excessive use is generating resistant strains, which could generate “future health crises of bacterial origin.”

As an alternative, “formulations based on natural products combined with nanotechnology and that allow eradicating it without the use of antibiotics are investigated. A good example of this type of products is the combination of curcumin in nano emulsions,” said the academic.

The importance of self -care

Although the link between H. pylori and gastric cancer is tested, Moore warned that the bacteria could also be involved in other diseases. Recent research shows that this microorganism releases extracellular vesicles with bacterial material that travel through the bloodstream, affecting organs such as liver or even the brain, which would open a line of study on its possible role in neurodegenerative or liver pathologies.

Moore called not to ignore persistent digestive symptoms. “Acidity, reflux or feeling of having full stomach should not be attributed only to stress or food, they are warning signs, especially in men, who lead the rates of gastric cancer mortality in Chile.” In addition, he recommended periodic controls with endoscopy every two to three years for people in risk groups.

The bacteria “can be found in the environment (water and food), which facilitates its arrival to the human being. On the other hand, it has been shown that this microorganism can be housed in the oral cavity, specifically in the gingival groove and is associated with chronic gingivitis, very prevalent pathology in Chile,” he said.

Moore, who is director of the Biomedical Sciences PhD of the UTALCA, stressed the importance of periodic controls, since, a “greater complication is that a large percentage of people who make antibiotic eradication ends up reinfined in the short term, a product that this bacterium can be“ hidden ”in places of difficult access for treatments.”