AUTHOR=Liu Mengkai , Gao Hui , Miao Jinlai , Zhang Ziyan , Zheng Lili , Li Fei , Zhou Sen , Zhang Zhiran , Li Shengxin , Liu He , Sun Jie 

TITLE=Helicobacter pylori infection in humans and phytotherapy, probiotics, and emerging therapeutic interventions: a review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1330029

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2023.1330029

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>The global prevalence of <italic>Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)</italic> infection remains high, indicating a persistent presence of this pathogenic bacterium capable of infecting humans. This review summarizes the population demographics, transmission routes, as well as conventional and novel therapeutic approaches for <italic>H. pylori</italic> infection. The prevalence of <italic>H. pylori</italic> infection exceeds 30% in numerous countries worldwide and can be transmitted through interpersonal and zoonotic routes. Cytotoxin-related gene A (CagA) and vacuolar cytotoxin A (VacA) are the main virulence factors of <italic>H. pylori</italic>, contributing to its steep global infection rate. Preventative measures should be taken from people’s living habits and dietary factors to reduce <italic>H. pylori</italic> infection. Phytotherapy, probiotics therapies and some emerging therapies have emerged as alternative treatments for <italic>H. pylori</italic> infection, addressing the issue of elevated antibiotic resistance rates. Plant extracts primarily target urease activity and adhesion activity to treat <italic>H. pylori</italic>, while probiotics prevent <italic>H. pylori</italic> infection through both immune and non-immune pathways. In the future, the primary research focus will be on combining multiple treatment methods to effectively eradicate <italic>H. pylori</italic> infection.</p>