In the world of microbiology H. Pylori or better known as Helicobacter pylori will really make your stomach. Literally, H. Pylori will cause pain with in the stomach from inflammation of the stomach lining and is strongly linked to the development of duodenal and gastric ulcers and stomach cancer.
Helicobacter pylori was first discovered in the stomachs of patients with gastritis and stomach ulcers in 1982 by Dr. Barry Marshall and Dr. Robin Warren of Perth, Western Australia. H. pylori is a gram negative, bacterium that can inhabit the stomach, particularly the antrum. Helicobacter pylori is a helix-shaped (classified as a curved rod, not spirochetes) Gram negative bacterium, about 3 micrometers long with a diameter of about 0.5 micrometers. It is microaerophilic; that is, it requires oxygen, but at lower concentration than is found in the atmosphere. It produces oxidase, catalase, and urease. It is capable of forming biofilms and can convert from spiral to a possibly viable but non cultural coccoid form, both likely to favor its survival and be factors in the epidemiology of the bacterium. The coccoid form can adhere to gastric epithelial cells in vitro.
H. …show more content…
pylori, treatment and prevention of side effects and complications is difficult; however, recommendations to help prevent ulcers include: Reduce or stop alcohol intake, quit smoking, and Use acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) instead of NSAIDs, for example, aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Avoid caffeine, check for symptoms of H. pylori infection after radiation therapy, and Avoid or reduce stress. Good hand washing techniques with uncontaminated water will reduce the chances of infection. Currently, no vaccine is available against H. pylori to prevent either colonization or infection. Untreated and more severe infections have a worse prognosis because of the potential for bleeding, anemia, and low blood pressure