Helicobacter pylori interacts with the apical membrane of the gastric epithelium and induces
a number of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines. The subsequent infiltration of
macrophages and granulocytes into the mucosa leads to gastric inflammation accompanied
by epithelial degeneration. Gastric diseases, eg peptic ulcer or gastric adenocarcinoma, are
more common among people infected with H. pylori strains producing VacA (vacuolating
cytotoxin A) and possessing acag (cytotoxin-associated antigen A) pathogenicity island. For …