Helicobacter pylori: determinant and markers of virulence.

In this review, we examine the main virulence determinants in Helicobacter pylori (Hp) strains and the correlation between these and the different diseases following Hp infections. We also discuss the host response to Hp and the implications and advantages of the development of non-invasive pre-endoscopy screening of molecular and serological markers associated with Hp virulence and disease progression putting an emphasis on new screening techniques such as the Luminex--X multi analytes profiling technology and the multiplex PCR.