helicobacter pylori

disease

Gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric cancer.

Domain

bacteria

Prok or Euk

prokaryotic

Gram Stain / Morph

Gram - spiral shaped

Spores

No

Motility

Yes, uses flagella

Oxygen requirements

microaerophilic

Distinguishing features

produces urease, which neutralizes stomach acid

Pathogenic properties

organisms survive the acidity of stomach juices by producing a powerful urease. Upon reaching the layer of mucus, they penetrate to the epithelial surface, where bacterial products incite an inflammatory response. Thinning of the mucus layer occurs, an 10% to 20% of infected individuals develop ulcerations. Only a small percentage develop cancer, but more than 90% of individuals with stomach cancers are infected with this bacterium.

Reservoir

Human stomach.

Parts of body infected

stomach and duodenum

methods of tranmission

oral-oral, fecal-oral routes

portal of entry

oral cavity

period of illness

chronic if left untreated

contagious

yes primarily within household

DX

urea brehath test, stool antigen test, endoscopy

prevent measures

safe food and water practices, proper sanitation and hand hygiene