Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacterium, found in the stomach that can cause gastritis, ulcers, and stomach cancer. The bacteria can live in 50% to 75% of the population and often spreads through food. In this article, we’ll discuss how it spreads, what symptoms it causes, and treatment options.
Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that causes gastritis, stomach ulcers and stomach cancer
If you have stomach ulcers, you should get tested for Helicobacter pylori. This is a bacterium that thrives in the stomach’s protective mucus layer. This means that they are less likely to destroy by the acidic digestive juices and are able to grow. The bacteria also produce ammonia, which protects them from the acidic stomach contents and allows them to penetrate through the mucus layer. The treatment for gastritis and stomach ulcers usually includes antibiotics and medications that reduce stomach acid. These antibiotics can cure up to 90% of ulcers.
Infection with Helicobacter pylori can cause several health problems, including gastritis, stomach ulcers, and stomach cancer. The bacteria are able to infect epithelial cells in the stomach through the type-IV secretion apparatus. The bacteria also cause damage to the cells by disrupting cytoskeleton, adherence to adjacent cells, and intracellular signaling. Ultimately, these infections can lead to gastric cancer, which is a Class I carcinogen.
The infection usually occurs during childhood and is the leading cause of stomach ulcers. It is believed that more than half of the world’s population is infected with this bacterium, but most people don’t realize that they have it. However, it is important to recognize that it can be treated with antibiotics to prevent further damage to the lining of the stomach.
This bacteria is present in millions of people around the world, and it is the second leading cause of gastric cancer. Although the chances of developing stomach cancer are low, people with H. pylori infection are at a greater risk for developing stomach cancer. The American Cancer Society states that a majority of people infected with H. pylori don’t get stomach cancer, but some people are at high risk. Additionally, people who smoke or consume certain foods are also at increased risk for stomach cancer.
While no one knows what causes H. pylori infection, it is, believed that living in an environment with dirty water and unsanitary conditions increases the risk of infection. In addition to living in a crowded environment, infected fecal matter can carry by saliva or food.
It is present in 50% to 75% of the population
Children are most susceptible to infection with H. pylori, with infection rates decreasing significantly after five years. The infection needs continuous contact between the mother and the child, and most infections occur in early childhood. Nevertheless, married couples are also at risk if one spouse is, infected.
The infection can cause chronic inflammation of the stomach and upper part of the small intestine. It can also lead to a rare form of stomach cancer called gastric lymphoma. Up to 15% of individuals with H. pylori infection will develop peptic ulcers at some point in their life. The most common symptom is abdominal pain, which may be dull and burning. Other symptoms include bloating, poor appetite, and dark-colored stools.
Antibiotics are often, prescribed to treat H. pylori, and treatment depends on the type of infection. Two common medications are Talicia capsules (containing two different antibiotics) and Helidac, which contains bismuth plus two antibiotics. While a single treatment will not cure the infection, it can help prevent stomach ulcers. Patients should take antimicrobials for at least 14 days.
Patients with chronic aspirin therapy, diabetes, or dual antiplatelet therapy should screen for H. pylori. CKD or COPD patients are more likely to be seropositive, and a history of upper GI complaints may be protective. In addition, low socioeconomic status, poor living conditions, and overcrowding are strong predictors of H. pylori infection.
In addition to gastric cancer, Helicobacter pylori is the most common chronic bacterial infection among humans. It is responsible for most peptic ulcers, gastric adenocarcinoma, and gastric lymphoma, and has found in 50% to 75% of the population. Infection is a preventable disease, but the costs of treatment are high.
There are no known vaccines for this infection, but eradication therapy is available for patients with chronic H. pylori infection. Individuals with chronic infection should consider undergoing an eradication procedure if they wish to avoid developing cancer. The disease is prevalent in developing countries, and children in low-income areas are more susceptible. In addition to being highly infectious, H. pylori also easily spreads from person to person. The bacteria live in the saliva, plaque on the teeth, and stool, so hand-washing is vital for preventing transmission of the infection.
Spread through food
While the prevalence of H pylori infection has decreased in developed countries and children, it remains a concern in ethnic groups. Moreover, the global resistance to antibiotics appears to be increasing dramatically. This bacterium can spread through food and water. The bacteria can also transfer by kissing or touching unwashed hands. If left untreated, it can lead to stomach cancer.
There are some studies that have proven that H pylori spreads through water and food. However, many of these studies have been based on indirect evidence. The bacteria may be present in milk, water, and food that has not been thoroughly boiled. This infection may also be spread through improperly handled food storage and preparation.
The bacteria are, found in the stomach and the mouth. Humans and animals are long-term hosts for this bacterium, and they may contaminate water for a period before being ingested. Furthermore, animal feces may contain the bacteria. In such a scenario, animals may defecate directly into surface water, or their feces may penetrate the groundwater.
Some people have been born with resistance to H pylori and do not experience symptoms. However, many people do experience gastritis or a peptic ulcer. These conditions are often the result of H. pylori infection, and are very dangerous for those who are unlucky enough to contract the disease. About 25 million people in the United States are, infected with H. pylori, but it is not yet clear what causes them.
In industrialized countries, the prevalence of H. pylori is around 40%. However, it is lower in children, adolescents, and the elderly. This decrease may be due to improved hygiene practices. However, two to 20 percent of those infected will experience symptoms of peptic ulcer disease.
Those living in places with unsanitary conditions and a lack of access to clean water are also at higher risk of getting an infection. Additionally, those who have lived in a household with an infected person may be more susceptible.
Treatment options
Several treatment options are available for H pylori infection. There are two basic types of treatment: triple therapy and quadruple therapy. Both of these are equally effective in eradicating H pylori infection. In addition, both therapies have similar levels of patient compliance and side effects. This makes them equivalent first-line treatment options.
Among these treatments, bismuth quadruple therapy is the most effective initial empiric treatment. However, there are also multiple non-bismuth alternatives such as sequential and hybrid therapies. Levofloxacin-, furazolidone-, and sitafloxacin-containing regimens are also useful in eradicating the infection and are sometimes, prescribed as salvage measures.
The selection of the appropriate antibiotic is based on local patterns of resistance. In some areas of the world, however, these patterns are not well understood. Therefore, a personal assessment of response rates and empiric testing are used to make a recommendation for treatment. During a standard course of therapy, the treating physician may choose to administer a high-dose PPI or high-dose amoxicillin as a salvage treatment.
The best diagnostic method for H pylori infection is a carbon-13-labeled urea breath test. However, the effectiveness of this test is not certain. As with any other chronic bacterial infection, it is important to check for the effectiveness of any treatment method.
New diagnostic tests and regimens are, developed to treat the condition. With the help of these, ulcer pain can permanently alleviate. It is, estimated that nearly 90% of ulcers cause by H. pylori and account for about one million hospitalizations a year. It is important to design an effective ulcer prevention program with an unbiased, straightforward, and positive tone. This should conduct on a national and regional level. For example, in Hispanic-American communities, the best approach is to utilize direct mailing to group primary care practices. Additionally, input from both male and female physicians must be sought.
A recent study showed that patients with H pylori infection had a 2.7-fold higher risk of developing gastric cancer than those with no H pylori infection. This means that the eradication of H pylori may not confer any cancer-preventing benefits.
