Abstract: 　Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the most common chronic bacterial infection in humans, affecting more than 50% of the world’s population. Most H. pylori infections are acquired in childhood and are closely related to chronic atrophic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, and gastric cancer. In addition, it may be involved in a variety of extra-gastrointestinal diseases, such as iron deficiency anemia, growth retardation, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, etc. H. pylori infection causes great harm to children's health, and its pathogenicity is mainly related to the polymorphism of its virulence genotype. This article reviews the characteristics and pathogenicity of H. pylori virulence gene.

Key words: Helicobacter pylori;　virulence gene;　pathogenicity