Helicobacter pylori Infection and Hematologic Diseases

ABSTRACT

Helicobacter pylori infection is not only a major cause of various gastrointestinal diseases but is also a possible etiologic agent in many extragastric disorders. It has been well known that the infection is associated with the pathogenesis of several hematologic diseases including unexplained iron deficiency anemia, primary immune thrombocytopenia or gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. The present review aims to explain hematologic diseases with well established associations and their possible pathogenetic mechanisms, and introduce other disorders with controversial or intriguing associations such as pernicious anemia, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, myelodysplastic syndrome, childhood leukemia and coagulation disorders. Most guidelines for management of H. pylori infection recommend that H. pylori should be sought and eradicated in infected patients with hematologic diseases with well-established associations. Further studies are required to establish new strategies to improve the management of infected patients with other hematologic diseases with controversial or intriguing associations.