Please do not send questions about Helicobacter management to Leah Barrett or this laboratory. Instead, always use the Helicobacter Foundation DISCUSSION page.
Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium, is the leading cause of stomach and intestinal ulcers, gastritis and stomach cancer. It was discovered in the early 1980s by Dr. Barry Marshall, a center director, then working with colleagues at Royal Perth Hospital in Australia. H. pylori is one of the most common bacteria in the world, probably infecting 50 percent of the world's population. The prevalence of infections increases with age. Left untreated, infections can last for many years, if not a lifetime.
With accurate diagnosis, physicians can treat H. pylori with effective antibiotic drugs to cure peptic ulcer disease and gastritis. Current research indicates that similar treatment may also prevent many stomach cancers and some lymphoma tumors of the stomach.
The H. pylori Center at UVa consists of three units. The directors of each unit are leading research scientists who are also members of the University of Virginia faculty
A full range of specialized clinical studies for H. pylori are offered by members of this unit. Studies include endoscopic, pathologic and functional evaluation of the stomach and intestinal tract. Eligible individuals may participate in a number of investigative protocols into new treatments for H. pylori-related gastrointestinal diseases. Director: Dr. David A. Peura, associate professor of medicine, director of clinical services and gastroenterology endoscopy. An overview of diagnostic tests for H.pylori can be found at the Helicobacter Foundation web site.
Members of this unit perform tests to detect the presence of H. pylori. Some of these tests were developed by Dr. Barry Marshall. The CLOtest (Campylobacter-like organism test) uses a tissue biopsy secured by endoscopy. If H. pylori is present, a urease enzyme will hydrolyze urea used in the test to ammonia, changing the color of a pH indicator from yellow to red. Breath tests are noninvasive and less expensive than endoscopy. Patients ingest a harmless trace of radioactive urea. If this is hydrolyzed by urease present in H. pylori it will release labeled C02, which can be measured in exhaled breath.
Blood tests for H.pylori detect antibodies to the bacterium. These blood tests are now widely available in the United States or can be performed at the University Laboratory (see below).
Director: Dr. Barry Marshall, clinical associate professor of gastroenterology and internal medicine.
Researchers in this component conduct a full range of serologic and microbiologic studies of H. pylori infection, many of which have been developed by Dr. Richard Guerrant and Dr. Barry Marshall. These studies include H. pylori culture and sensitivity testing to select antimicrobial agents that will be effective in treating the infection. The Center laboratory evaluates new tests and conducts research on the epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment of H. pylori infections in the United States and abroad. The laboratory is part of one of the leading research laboratories in the world on gastrointestinal infections.
Director.- Dr. Richard L. Guerrant, Thomas H. Hunter professor of internal medicine; and chief, division of geographic and international medicine.
University of Virginia Medical Center Clinical Laboratory Services Box 168 2nd Floor Davis Wing Rm. 2117 Charlottesville Va 22908
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