Helicobacter pylori is a spiral bacterium. More than 30% of the population of our planet is infected with it. It is considered the most common infection in the world.
The bacterium is about 3 µm long and 0.5 µm in diameter. It needs oxygen to live, although its concentration may be lower than normal.
Discovery history
The presence of spiral microorganisms in the human body was described more than a hundred years ago. This was done by the Polish professor Yavorsky. Later, they were also discovered in the body of animals by Bidzozero.
In those days, 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 did subsequent research with Marshall. Scientists for a long time could not breed bacteria in the laboratory. Finally they succeeded, but by a lucky chance. The researchers left containers with crops not for two, but for five days because of the Easter holidays. After the weekend, scientists discovered a colony of microorganisms. The results of the study werepublished in 1983.
Marshall really wanted to prove that Helicobacter pylori is 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 the symptoms of Helicobacter pylori, it is worth clarifying that this rather large bacterium parasitizes under the mucous membrane of the digestive organ. It penetrates the muscle layer and multiplies safely, growing into large colonies. Over time, there are too many colonies, 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 bacteria live in colonies. Their waste products poison the host's body.
Transmission routes
Many people wonder how Helicobacter pylori is transmitted. Infection most often occurs in childhood. One person infects another by the oral-oral route. For example, when using some cutlery, kissing.
Although other ways 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 thoroughly disinfected instruments andequipment.
Doctors identify the fecal-oral route. Bacteria are present in the stool of a sick person, and they get into water or food that another can eat.
If one of the members of the family has a bacterium, then the rest of its members also have it. It is believed that a person infects not only people, but also their pets with the infection.
How is the introduction into the body
Now, after it became clear how Helicobacter pylori is transmitted, we can analyze the issue of the introduction of the microorganism into the digestive tract. The gastric mucosa has a good defense against bacteria. But the described microorganism is perfectly adapted to the conditions of an acidic environment. It secretes the enzyme urease, which breaks down urea, and it surrounds the microorganism with a protective layer of ammonia with carbon dioxide.
The parasite penetrates the mucous membrane, joining the epithelial cells. So he, figuratively speaking, deceives the immune system. The bacterium is able to distinguish the level of acidity, it moves towards the area with lower values. Attachment to the mucosa is carried out by protein molecules called adhesins.
Effect on the stomach
Helicobacter pylori symptoms are due to the fact that these bacteria damage the stomach lining. The duodenum may also be affected. There is a destruction of the gastric membrane due to substances that are produced by third-party microorganisms: these are ammonia, cytotoxins, endotoxins and others. It is these componentslead 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, later becomes chronic. The disease is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the 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 abdomen.
- Stomach cancer - scientists have concluded that microorganisms contribute to the development of free radicals, that is, they are the etiological factor in the development of oncology.
Further studies, such as testing for Helicobacter pylori, have shown that the infection can affect the ears (otitis media), skin (pruritus, urticaria, psoriasis), eyes (open-angle glaucoma), mouth, gallbladder and some others organs.
Main Helicobacter pylori symptoms
There are a number of symptoms that indicate infection of the body. They are mainly associated with such disorders in the digestive tract as:
- nausea and vomiting;
- pain syndromein the peritoneum;
- poor appetite;
- weight loss for no apparent reason;
- fetid smell from the mouth.
In advanced cases, there may be blood in the vomit, a sudden onset of pain caused by perforation.
Interestingly, numerous small pink pimples on the face can indicate the presence of microorganisms. They cannot be removed with the help of cosmetic procedures, because they are caused by the vital activity of the parasite.
Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori
To detect the presence of a dangerous microorganism, many methods have been developed. Some are invasive, others are gentle.
Basic diagnostic methods:
- Histology is the study under a microscope of the tissues of the stomach, which are taken by biopsy during endoscopic examination.
- Helicobacter pylori breath test - the patient must drink a solution with urea. In the presence of parasites, a labeled carbon atom will enter his bloodstream. The gas will be excreted through the lungs, so after half an hour the patient is asked to exhale into a special bag. If spectrometry detects a labeled carbon atom, the diagnosis is confirmed. Some drugs can interfere with the Helicobacter pylori breath test, giving a false negative result. Specialists should be warned about the medications they are taking.
- Serological blood tests - antibodies to Helicobacter pylori are detected in the laboratory.
- Microbiological culture - requiresprior biopsy. The material is being studied for sowing.
- Rapid urease test - a biopsy sample is tested for Helicobacter pylori by placing the tissue in a medium with urea and an acid indicator. When infected, the indicator turns crimson. The test can take from one hour to two days. The later the indicator turns on, the less bacteria in the body.
- Fecal analysis - the test detects a protein produced by bacteria.
Helicobacter pylori infection: treatment
There are many treatment regimens for the infection. The doctor makes a decision based on the results of the diagnosis, the clinical picture.
And the first thing to pay attention to is the analysis data. If the test for Helicobacter pylori is positive, what does this result mean? It indicates an infection. The drugs used in the treatment are listed below:
- Antibiotics - they cannot kill all bacteria. The downside is that the drugs negatively affect the functioning of the immune system, which is necessary to fight 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 patient's condition. For example, pantoprazole.
- Bismuth preparations are auxiliary medicines that help antibiotics fight infection.
Probiotics, which include bifidobacteria, have a positive effect on the bodyand lactobacilli.
Also, many experts believe that it is necessary to treat stress. It is he who influences the production of adrenaline. Because of this, the muscles contract very quickly and food does not enter the stomach correctly. Thus, its acidity rises, which causes all the unpleasant symptoms.
Prevention
The main preventive measures are related to not being infected. To do this, you need to wash your hands, cook food properly, drink clean water, and do not use other people's lipsticks or toothbrushes.
If Helicobacter pylori is already present in the body, treatment will not completely eliminate the problem. It is impossible to remove it from the body. But you can improve the work of the gastrointestinal tract, reduce acidity by protecting the mucosa with protein. The last component is in the meat. Only people with gastritis or ulcers should not eat meat in whole pieces. It is best to eat it boiled and ground. And don't skimp on milk. So food is easily digested, and milk protein will protect the walls of the diseased organ.
Great attention should be paid not only to nutrition, but also to the regimen. A person needs normal sleep. During it, the body produces many beneficial hormones, such as melatonin. It helps fight stress and boosts immunity.
Positive impact on human he alth
Scientists have come to the conclusion that the parasite has evolved together with man for many millennia. This brings up the idea thathumans and bacteria could adapt to each other. Versions about the positive properties of the microorganism in certain diseases have begun to be developed recently. So, in case of esophageal disease, the infection reduces the acidity of the stomach, reducing the risk of developing oncology.
Scientists have been able to find a link between a decrease in the spread of bacteria and an increase in cases of asthma and other allergic reactions. Some experts are convinced that the child'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 finally proven. The symptoms it causes require very close attention.
