Figure 1.

Long-term H. pylori infection may induce a repeated “damage-regeneration” process which gradually leads to gastric atrophy, intestinal metaplasia and finally carcinoma. A. H. pylori infected gastric mucosa with inflammatory cell infiltration. B. Gastric epithelial cells are damaged, become apoptotic and then are regenerated, with enhanced inflammatory cell infiltration and disturbance of mucus layer. C. Atrophy and intestinal metaplasia develop; fibrosis and thinning of the lamina propria; finally H. pylori is lost due to inhospitable mucosa. D. Gastric carcinoma is induced.