Helicobacter Pylori Infection
Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that can infect the stomach and duodenum. H. pylori infection is common, and it’s estimated that 50 percent of the world’s population has it. Though it’s usually a benign infection, in some cases, H. pylori can lead to ulcers and even gastric cancer. But can this bacterium also cause microcytic anemia?
The answer appears to be yes, though the mechanism by which H. pylori causes microcytic anemia is not yet fully understood. It’s thought that the inflammation caused by H. pylori may lead to iron malabsorption in the gut, resulting in low iron levels and, ultimately, microcytic anemia. H. pylori has been shown to bind directly to ferritin. This protein stores iron in the body, thus preventing iron from being used by the body and contributing to microcytic anemia.
Studies have also found that H. pylori-infected individuals are more likely to have low serum iron levels and high total iron-binding capacity, another indicator of microcytic anemia. The recommended treatment for H. pylori infection is a combination of antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor. The most common antibiotic regimens used to treat H. pylori infection are clarithromycin plus amoxicillin or metronidazole plus tinidazole plus omeprazole.
