Korean J Med.  2015 Aug;89(2):133-141. 10.3904/kjm.2015.89.2.133.

Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Helicobacter Pylori Infections in Korea

• Kim BJ
• Kim JG

• KMID: 2269021
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2015.89.2.133

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.

Keyword

Helicobacter pylori; Seroepidemiologic studies; Epidemiology; Virulence factors; Immunity

MeSH Terms

Adaptive Immunity
Epidemiology*
Gangwon-do
Gastritis
Genetic Variation
Helicobacter pylori*
Helicobacter*
Humans
Korea*
Prevalence
Public Health
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Stomach Neoplasms
Virulence Factors
Virulence Factors