Management of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> infection: the Maastricht VI/Florence consensus report

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori Infection is formally recognised as an infectious disease, an entity that is now included in the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision. This in principle leads to the recommendation that all infected patients should receive treatment. In the context of the wide clinical spectrum associated with Helicobacter pylori gastritis, specific issues persist and require regular updates for optimised management. The identification of distinct clinical scenarios, proper testing and adoption of effective strategies for prevention of gastric cancer and other complications are addressed. H. pylori treatment is challenged by the continuously rising antibiotic resistance and demands for susceptibility testing with consideration of novel molecular technologies and careful selection of first line and rescue therapies. The role of H. pylori and antibiotic therapies and their impact on the gut microbiota are also considered. Progress made in the management of H. pylori infection is covered in the present sixth edition of the Maastricht/Florence 2021 Consensus Report, key aspects related to the clinical role of H. pylori infection were re-evaluated and updated. Forty-one experts from 29 countries representing a global community, examined the new data related to H. pylori infection in five working groups: (1) indications/associations, (2) diagnosis, (3) treatment, (4) prevention/gastric cancer and (5) H. pylori and the gut microbiota. The results of the individual working groups were presented for a final consensus voting that included all participants. Recommendations are provided on the basis of the best available evidence and relevance to the management of H. pylori infection in various clinical fields.

Keywords

Affiliated Institutions

• LMU Klinikum DE
• Jichi Medical University JP
• Inserm FR
• Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore IT
• Trinity College Dublin IE
• University of Padua IT
• Population Health Research Institute CA
• Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas ES
• Université de Bordeaux FR
• Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico IT
• University of Latvia LV
• Innsbruck Medical University AT
• Henry Dunant Hospital GR
• German Center for Infection Research DE
• McMaster University CA
• Sutherland Hospital AU
• Regione del Veneto IT
• European University Cyprus CY
• UNSW Sydney AU
• Hospital Universitario de La Princesa ES
• National Taiwan University Hospital TW

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