Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a gram-negative microaerophilic spiral-like bacterium, which is mainly transmitted from person to person through oral-oral route. The discovery of Helicobacter pylori has deepened human understanding of the relationship between chronic infection, inflammation and cancer. Its specific spiral shape, flagella and its motility, urease and adhesin activity, as well as cytotoxin-related gene A(cagA) and vacuole cytotoxin gene A(vacA) are the most studied pathogenic factors affecting HP infection. HP infection may play an important role in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer, but it has not been confirmed that HP infection is the main cause of gastric cancer. This article summarizes the research progress of HP infection-related pathogenic factors.