Helicobacter pylori and hepatic encephalopathy

Indian J Gastroenterol. 2003 Dec:22 Suppl 2:S31-2.

Abstract

Several extra-intestinal diseases have been associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Hepatic encephalopathy has been linked to H. pylori infection because of the ammonia produced by the organism in the stomach. H. pylori infection is commoner in cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy than in those without. Increased ammonia levels have been observed in the gastric juice and blood more commonly in cirrhotics with H. pylori infection than in those without. Though the amount of ammonia produced by H. pylori may be too small to contribute to hepatic encephalopathy, eradication of H. pylori has been shown to improve the blood ammonia levels and hepatic encephalopathy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ammonia / analysis
  • Gastric Juice / chemistry
  • Helicobacter Infections / complications*
  • Helicobacter Infections / physiopathology
  • Helicobacter pylori / physiology*
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Hyperammonemia / etiology
  • Hyperammonemia / microbiology
  • Hyperammonemia / physiopathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / etiology
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Ammonia