CDR REVIEW

The association between human gastrointestinal disease and infection with the spirally-curved bacteria, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Helicobacter pylori, has been established during the last 20 years. Campylobacters are now the commonest reported cause of bacterial enteritis in the United Kingdom (PearsoniAD, Healing TD. CDR Review 1992; 2: R133-9). Helicobacter, on the other hand, frequently colonises the upper gastrointestinal tract, and is associated with peptic ulceration and chronic gastritis. The recent identification of H. pylori in faeces and dental plaque; the development of strain typing, and optimal regimens for eradication of the organism (Graham DY. N Engl J Med 1993; 328: 349-50; Anon. Drug Ther Bull 1993; 31: 13-15), should have a major impact on the surveillance and control of this infection in the future. The three articles in this issue review what is known about its microbiology, epidemiology, clinical features and treatment. Microbiological aspects of Helicobacter pylori infection Microbiological aspects of Helicobacter pylori infectio