Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric MALT lymphoma

Lehours P, Mégraud F

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori infection is implicated in the development of two different gastric cancers: gastric adenocarcinoma and gastric MALT lymphoma. The association with the gastric MALT lymphoma is strong and causal. It is currently the only cancer which can be treated by a simple antibiotic treatment. However, the evolution of an H. pylori infection towards lymphoma is exceptional. Host susceptibility factors and environmental factors predisposing a  patient to lymphoma have not yet been determined. The bacterial factors are currently being identified.

Key words:	lymphoma, MALT, H. pylori.

Abbreviations: JHP – Helicobacter pylori strain J99 open reading frame region; IPSID – Immuno proliferative small intestinal disease; NHL – Non-Hodgkin lymphoma; PGIL – Primitive gastrointestinal lymphoma; MALT – Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue; ORF – Open reading frame region; PCR – Polymerase chain reaction