EVER HEARD THE WORD H-PYLORI?

SOURCE

H-pylori (Helicobacter pylori) is a gram-negative, microaerophilic(intolerant to high oxygen) bacterium. It is spiral shaped and previously known as campylobacter pylori. H-pylori is a gastroduodenal pathogen that lives in or on the lining of the stomach, It is a major cause of peptic ulcers. Before this bacterium was discovered, spicy foods, acidic foods, stress and lifestyle were considered as the major causes of ulcers, even after it’s discovering most people still believe stomach ulcers are mostly caused by acidic food.

Years back, there was a development on H-pylori being a ‘normal flora’ or better still ‘a beneficial gastric pathogen’,according to an article written by Amin Talebi Bezmin Abadi. I quote “(GERD) Gastroesophageal reflux disease has been increased mostly in developed communities where H-pylori infection is almost effectively eradicated. GERD is the main risk factor for Barret’s esophagus, and it has been associated with “esophageal adenocarcinomal”. However, the relationship between GERD and H-pylori remains incompletely defined. Several studies suggested that eradication of H-pylori infection in the setting of duodenal ulcer disease would result in increase in GERD symptoms”. Who could have thought a pathogen could also be beneficial, I guess some seemingly bad things also have their little advantages but not to forget that H-pylori is still pathogenic and a cause of peptic ulcer in 90% of people today.

Most of us might have heard ‘Fecal occult blood test’ once or twice in the laboratory or you might have seen the ‘FOB’ Rdt(rapid diagnostic test) kit lying on the benches and wonder what it’s used for. FOB(Fecal occult blood) test is a test done in the microbiology laboratory to check for the presence of blood in stool and this is a screening test for peptic ulcer. To run the FOB test, stool samples are collected in universal bottles and the FOB Rdt kit is used. Blood in stool indicates bleeding in the digestive tracts which may be caused by variety of conditions and also ulcers. 

H-pylori bacteria weakens the protective mucous coating of the stomach and duodenum, thus allowing acid to get through to the mucosa lining beneath. Both the acid and bacteria irritates the mucosa lining and causes a sore or ulcer. It is transmitted fecal-orally and infected persons could feel some abdominal discomfort such as dull, gnawing ache or a burning pain. Antibiotics such as omeprazole, amoxicillin can used to treat H-pylori infection.

Whenever you feel a burning sensation in your stomach, It might be H-pylori and not the acidic component of the food you ate or neither because you haven’t eaten all day. So get an FOB test done, it costs nothing but your stool, so easy.

By Idowu Olabisi

Penultimate Medical laboratory Science Student.