Helicobacter pylori is a spiral bacterium. She infected more than 30% of the world's population. She is considered the most common infection in the world.
The length of the bacteria is about 3 microns, and the diameter is 0.5 microns. She needs oxygen for life, although its concentration may be lower than usual.
Discovery story
The presence of spiral microorganisms in the human body was described more than a hundred years ago. This was done by the Polish professor Jaworski. Later, they were found in the body of animals by Bizodzero.
In those days, the infection was not taken seriously. Only in the seventies of the twentieth century Warren noticed that bacteria are contained in the inflamed mucosa of the digestive organ. Warren conducted subsequent research with Marshall. Scientists for a long time could not remove bacteria in the laboratory. Finally they succeeded, but by a lucky chance. Researchers left containers with crops not for two, but for five days due to Easter holidays. After the weekend, scientists discovered a colony of microorganisms. The results of the study were published in 1983.
Marshall really wanted to prove that Helicobacter pylori was the cause of stomach ulcers, so in 1985 he swallowed the culture. Instead of an ulcer, he developed gastritis, which disappeared by itself. Later, Marshall still managed to prove the etiological role of infection in the development of gastric disease.
In 2005, both scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery and study of bacteria.
What is a bacterium
Before describing what causes Helicobacter pylori symptoms, it is worth clarifying that this fairly large bacterium parasitizes under the mucosa of the digestive organ. It penetrates the muscle layer and multiplies safely, growing into large colonies. Over time, the colonies become too many, and they settle in the bile ducts.
Photos of these microorganisms taken with a microscope are present in the article. It can be seen that the bacteria live in colonies. The products of their vital activity also poison the host organism.
Transmission ways
Many are interested in how Helicobacter pylori is transmitted. Infection often occurs in childhood. One person infects another by the oral-oral route. For example, when using only cutlery, kisses.
Although other methods are possible. This is how infection occurs due to medical manipulations when microorganisms are preserved on the endoscope after examining the stomach of a sick person. It is important to use carefully disinfected tools and equipment.
Doctors secrete the fecal-oral route. Bacteria are present in the stool of a sick person, and they enter the water or food that another person can consume.
If one of the family members has a bacterium, then the rest of its members also have it. It is believed that a person infects not only humans, but also their pets.
How is the introduction into the body
Now, after it became clear how Helicobacter pylori is transmitted, it is possible to examine the question of the introduction of a microorganism into the digestive tract. The gastric mucosa has good protection against bacteria. But the described microorganism is perfectly adapted to acidic conditions. It secretes the urease enzyme, due to which it breaks down urea, and it surrounds the microorganism with a protective layer of ammonia and carbon dioxide.
The parasite penetrates the mucosa, joining the cells of the epithelium. So, figuratively speaking, he deceives the immune system. The bacterium is able to distinguish the level of acidity, it moves towards the site with lower rates. Attachment to the mucosa is carried out by protein molecules called adhesins.
Effect on the stomach
Helicobacter pylori-induced symptoms are associated with the fact that these bacteria damage the lining of the stomach. The duodenum can also suffer. The destruction of the gastric membrane occurs due to substances that produce third-party microorganisms: these are ammonia, cytotoxins, endotoxins and others. It is these components that lead to the development of the inflammatory process.
What diseases does it cause?
Identification in the body of the microorganism in question is not in itself considered a disease. But its presence increases the risk of complications in the work of some human organs.
The following is a list of the main diseases that are associated with the presence of the described infection in the body:
- Gastritis - immediately after infection, it proceeds in an acute form, subsequently becomes chronic. A disease is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of a digestive organ.
- Ulcer - occurs in the stomach and duodenum. Studies have shown that in most patients, the ulcer is caused by the presence of Helicobacter pylori.
- Functional dyspepsia - pain in the upper abdominal cavity.
- Stomach cancer - scientists have come to the conclusion that microorganisms contribute to the development of free radicals, that is, they are an etiological factor in the development of oncology.
Further studies, such as Helicobacter pylori testing, have shown that the infection can affect the ears (otitis media), skin (pruritus, urticaria, psoriasis), eyes (open-angle glaucoma), oral cavity, gall bladder and some other organs.
The main symptoms caused by Helicobacter pylori
There are a number of symptoms that indicate infection of the body. They are mainly associated with disorders in the digestive tract, such as:
- nausea and vomiting;
- pain in the peritoneum;
- poor appetite;
- weight loss for no apparent reason;
- fetid odor from the oral cavity.
In advanced cases, blood may appear in the vomit, a sudden attack of pain caused by perforation.
Interestingly, numerous small pink acne on the face can indicate the presence of microorganisms. They can not be removed using cosmetic procedures, because they are caused by the vital activity of the parasite.
Diagnosis Helicobacter pylori
Many methods have been developed to detect the presence of a dangerous microorganism. Some of them are invasive, others are gentle.
The main diagnostic methods:
- Histology - a microscopic examination of the tissues of the stomach, which are taken by biopsy during endoscopic examination.
- Helicobacter pylori breath test - the patient should drink a solution with urea. In the presence of parasites, a labeled carbon atom will enter its bloodstream. Gas will be discharged through the lungs, so after half an hour the patient is asked to exhale in a special bag. If spectrometry detects a labeled carbon atom, the diagnosis is confirmed. Some drugs may interfere with the Helicobacter pylori breath test, giving a false negative result. Specialists should be warned about medications being taken.
- Serological blood tests - in the laboratory, antibodies to Helicobacter pylori are detected.
- Microbiological culture - requires a preliminary biopsy. Material is studied for sowing.
- Quick urease test - on the material taken by biopsy, an analysis is performed on Helicobacter pylori, placing the tissue in an environment with urea and an acidity indicator. When infected, the indicator turns crimson. The test can take from one hour to two days. The later the indicator stains, the fewer bacteria in the body.
- Fecal analysis - during the test, the protein that the bacterium produces is detected.
Helicobacter pylori infection: treatment
There are many treatments for infection. The doctor makes a decision based on the results of the diagnosis, the clinical picture.
And the first thing you should pay attention to is the analysis data. If the Helicobacter pylori test is positive, what does this result mean? It indicates infection. The drugs used in the treatment are listed below:
- Antibiotics - they are not able to destroy all bacteria. The downside is that the drugs negatively affect the functioning of the immune system, which is necessary to combat the parasite. For the best effect, the doctor may prescribe a combination of two drugs. An example of an antibiotic is tinidazole.
- Proton pump inhibitors are drugs that reduce the amount of acid in the digestive organ. This improves the condition of the patient. For example, pantoprazole.
- Bismuth preparations are adjuvants that help antibiotics fight infection.
Probiotics, which include bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, have a positive effect on the body.
Also, many experts believe that it is necessary to treat stress. It affects the production of adrenaline. Because of this, the muscles contract very quickly and the food goes wrong in the stomach. Thus, its acidity increases, which causes all the unpleasant symptoms.
Prevention
The main preventive measures are not to be infected. To do this, wash your hands, cook properly, drink clean water, do not use other people's lipsticks or toothbrushes.
If Helicobacter pylori is already present in the body, treatment will not be able to completely eliminate the problem. It is impossible to remove it from the body. But you can arrange the work of the gastrointestinal tract, reduce acidity, protecting the mucous membrane with protein. The last component is in meat. Only people with gastritis or an ulcer should not eat meat in whole pieces. It is best to eat it in a boiled and ground form. And do not disdain milk. So food is easily absorbed, and milk protein protects the walls of the diseased organ.
Much attention should be paid not only to nutrition, but also to the regimen. A person needs a normal sleep. During it, the body produces many beneficial hormones, such as melatonin. It helps fight stress and boosts immunity.
Positive effects on human health
Scientists have come to the conclusion that the parasite has evolved along with humans for many millennia. This suggests the idea that humans and bacteria could adapt to each other. Versions about the positive properties of the microorganism in some diseases have begun to develop since recent times. So, with an esophageal disease, an infection reduces the acidity of the stomach, reducing the risk of developing oncology.
Scientists were able to find a connection between a decrease in the spread of bacteria and an increase in the incidence of asthma and other allergic reactions. Some experts are convinced that the children's body needs exposure to certain bacteria in order to increase the sensitivity of the immune system to negative environmental factors.
Such studies contradict each other, so the positive properties of Helicobacter pylori have not been conclusively proven. The symptoms that it causes require very close attention.