Extragastric manifestations of Helicobacter pylori infection

Since the discovery of Helicobacter pylory (H. pylori), several studies have been published concerning a hypothetical role of this bacterium in different extragastric diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, iron deficiency anemia or other disorders. The majority of those studies may be classified as epidemiological or eradicating trials but there are also case reports or in vitro studies. Idiopathic thromobocytopenic purpura represents the disease showing a stronger link with H. pylori infection. There are also increasing evidences on the role of H. pylori infection in iron deficiency anemia and ischemic heart disease. On the contrary, the association between H. pylori infection and other diseases is still controversial, as is supported in the majority of the cases by case reports, small pilot studies or just in vitro data.