Helicobacter Pylori Bacteria In The Stomach - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-31 10:00

Causes, forms and symptoms of Helicobacter pylori

Several decades ago, the exact cause of the development of stomach and intestinal ulcers was unknown to medicine. Almost half a century ago, scientists discovered the negative effect of helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that lives in the human digestive tract. The immune system keeps its concentration within acceptable limits, but under favorable conditions the bacterium multiplies, damaging the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Helicobacter pylori is a unique harmful bacterium that causes the serious disease of Helicobacter pylori. Such a dangerous stomach disease is also characteristic of the duodenum. This unusual bacterium lives in a special pyloric section of the stomach, due to which it became so called. It has been proven to easily withstand the powerful destructive action of the typical acidic environment of the stomach. With the help of its flagella, this bacterium easily moves in the mucous walls of the stomach, and can also fix on them.

Helicobacter pylori causes numerous diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. During reproduction, these microorganisms have a detrimental effect on all cells of the stomach, which leads to various inflammatory processes. These include not only gastritis and ulcers, but also cancer. Today, the destruction of such dangerous bacteria can prevent the inevitable development of many pathologies.

Content:

• What does "Helicobacter pylori" mean?
• Helicobacter symptoms
• Reasons for infection with Helicobacter pylori
• What does Helicobacter pylori look like?
• How is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori transmitted?
• Why is bacteria dangerous?
• Diagnostics
• Treatment and prevention of helicobacteriosis
• Consequences of not being treated

What does "Helicobacter pylori" mean?

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori is widespread in the human population. There are statistics from which it follows that 60% of people have it. The acidity of gastric juice, which is aggressive for other microorganisms, does not pose any danger to it. This is a common habitat for bacteria, in which it exists for many years, destroying the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. This effect becomes a factor in the development of stomach and small intestine ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis, in complicated cases, combining these diseases. Long-term ulceration is capable of transforming into a cancerous tumor.

Antibiotic therapy is not indicated for all infected carriers of this disease. A minimal amount of bacteria cannot harm the human body, since they are held back by the immune system. In some cases, immunity weakens.

Protection weakening factors:

• excessive physical stress;
• psycho-emotional overload;
• infections;
• abuse of bad habits;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• unhealthy diet: the inclusion in the diet of smoked meats, marinades, spices, sour foods that irritate the mucous membrane and create defects on it;
• violation of the diet: rare meals in large volumes, dry food.

In the initial stages of the disease, gastritis develops, which subsequently develops into an ulcer. Peptic ulcer disease threatens perforation of the wall of the stomach and intestines, the development of bleeding or oncological pathology. These transformations entail structural changes in other organs of the gastrointestinal tract: in the liver, in the pancreas.

Until 1970, it was believed that inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract mucosa and stomach ulcers caused stress factors and a violation of the diet. To prove what the infection with Helicobacter pylori leads to, its researcher, Australian scientist B. Marshall, drank a concentrate of this culture. During the study, it was found that after a few days he developed gastritis. For their work, Barry Marshall and his team were awarded the Nobel Prize in 2005.

When diagnosing diseases of the stomach and intestines, the gastroenterologist directs the patient to a diagnostic study. The purpose of diagnostics is to find the causative agent of the infection and assess the damage caused by it.

Diagnostic methods:

• analysis of gastric juice;
• biopsy of the gastric mucosa;
• biochemistry blood test;
• PCR test for the detection of antibodies to helicobacter pylori in blood serum.

The polymerase chain reaction will help detect infection even with minimal concentrations of bacteria in the human body.

Helicobacter symptoms

The main alarming symptoms that directly indicate infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori are often repeated severe pain in the stomach area. Often, pain is localized on an empty stomach, decreasing after eating. Such symptoms indicate the formation of ulcers and erosion on the walls.

It should be mentioned that with helicobacteriosis, patients often complain of heartburn and heaviness in the stomach, and you can also observe poor digestibility of fatty meat food. In advanced conditions, nausea and, in rare cases, vomiting can be noted. To determine the presence of bacteria, a special test is used, which, using biochemical reactions, determines the content of immunoglobulins in the blood serum. In addition, endoscopy and a breath test are indicated.

Even if the causative agent of the infection has not yet been found during diagnosis, a person infected with the bacterium notices short-term signs of dyspepsia.

• How the clinic of the disease manifests itself:
• Hungry pain of low intensity, better after eating;
• Nausea, less often vomiting;
• Belching;
• Flatulence, bloating.

It is quite possible that the intensity of these manifestations will decrease, and for many years a person will be sure that the tone is healthy, but if the risk factors coincide, the bacterial colony activates its destructive work. These are smoking, alcohol abuse, infection, and other causes that reduce immunity.

After the discovery of the leading role of Helicobacter in the development of gastroenterological diseases, the frequency of relapses of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease decreased by 10-12 times. Currently, without diagnostics for the presence of bacteria in the patient's body, treatment of these diseases does not begin.

Reasons for infection with Helicobacter pylori

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The bacterium cannot live in the open air at all. As a rule, it is transmitted through human saliva and mucus upon contact. Usually, infection occurs through the household route through dishes and standard personal hygiene products, as well as through kissing. It is known that family and friends who are in frequent contact with the patient are always at risk.

When it enters the stomach of a person through the esophagus, such a bacterium does not die, despite the action of hydrochloric acid. Bacteria easily penetrate the mucous membranes, destroying tissue, causing disruption to normal functioning. In this case, the gastric mucosa becomes inflamed, and then erosion, gastritis and ulcers develop. If untreated, it is believed that the risk of stomach cancer increases significantly.

Since the most likely way for bacteria to enter the human body is contact with the patient's saliva and mucus, there are the following reasons for infection:

• Kisses;
• Use of common dishes, personal hygiene items;
• Transfer of bacteria from mother to child.

Relatives, friends, and family members of the carrier are most often at risk of infection. The transfer of bacteria from one carrier to another increases with non-observance of basic hygiene standards, a low level of culture. Residents of communal apartments, hostels, social institutions, as well as doctors are at risk. In developed countries, the risk of developing heliobacteriosis is much less than in countries with a low standard of living. In Russia, the social map of the distribution of Helicobacter is paradoxical - cases of ulcers and gastritis due to infection with this bacterium are often found in wealthy families.

What does Helicobacter pylori look like?

With such a prevalence of the disease, it is quite natural to ask what is helicobacter pylori? Here is a brief description of the microorganism: it is a spiral-shaped bacterium with flagella at one end. These flagella help Helicobacter to move in the digestive system, to attach to the gastric mucosa. The bacterium is able to transform its shape from spiral to oval or round.

The term helicobacter pylori comes from the name of the place of its localization - the pyloric stomach. Bacteria are adapted to exist in the acidic environment of gastric juice, they exist without oxygen. So that the hydrochloric acid of the stomach does not damage the helicobacter, it secretes special enzymes, surrounding itself with it, neutralizing gastric juice. The flagella of the microorganism penetrate through the mucous membrane to the cells of the parietal layer, disrupting the integrity of the protective environment.

Characterization of bacterial activity would be incomplete without a description of the pathogenesis of helicobacter pylori. It is the cells of the parietal layer of the stomach and intestines that are the source of nutrition for the bacteria. It destroys them, simultaneously releasing ammonia and toxic substances, poisoning the body with the products of its vital activity. The body's defense system in the form of neutrophils seeks to destroy pathogenic microbes, but also directs its energy to the cells of the mucous membrane, with which the bacterium has already interacted.

Penetrating through the defects of the mucous membrane, hydrochloric acid actively acts on tissues unadapted to this, causing ulceration. How long do Helicobacter pylori live? The bacterium can exist in the pyloric region of the stomach and in its bulb for several decades, until the patient undergoes a course of antibiotic therapy. It lives outside the human body for a very short time and dies very quickly.

How is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori transmitted?

Infection with helicobacter pylori occurs by contact, through the saliva of the carrier of the infection. It is quite possible, although much less often, another alimentary route of infection: through food or liquid. This infection is not transmitted by airborne droplets. The contact-household route of infection makes it possible to consider Helicobacter a "family microbe", when, when it is found in one member of the family, it is possible with a high degree of probability (in 95% of cases) that the others also have heliobacteriosis.

The most likely ways of transmission of the bacteria:

• iatrogenic - in diagnostic procedures involving insufficiently well-processed instruments, in endoscopy;
• fecal-oral - when contaminated products, water that have had contact with the feces of the infection carrier enter the human body;
• oral-oral - with kisses, when using someone else's toothbrush, unwashed cutlery in canteens and cafes.

There is a theoretical possibility of transmission of bacteria from domestic animals: pigs, cows, cats and dogs, as well as from monkeys.

Why is bacteria dangerous?

There are two mechanisms of the pathogenic effect of Helicobacter pylori on the human body.

Why the bacteria are dangerous:

• helicobacter pylori endotoxins have a negative effect on tissues, damaging the endothelium lining the vessels from the inside, affecting smooth muscle muscles;
• when exposed to it, immune-inflammatory reactions are activated, associated pathologies arise.

With the effect of bacteria, the digestive system becomes functionally imperfect, since the protective function of the gastric mucosa is disrupted and substances that have not previously entered it are absorbed into the blood. With a long existence in the stomach of Helicobacter pylori, gastrointestinal motility is disrupted, the synthesis of hormones that stimulate the peristalsis of the stomach and intestines is disrupted.

Colonies of bacteria displace beneficial microorganisms of the digestive system, provoking the development of dysbiosis. The prolonged course of the chronic gastritis caused by it leads to atrophy of the mucosa and the formation of foci of metaplasia on it, when the typical covering of the wall of the stomach and intestines is transformed into atypical cells. In addition to these changes, the secretion of gastric juice decreases, which performs a protective function that prevents the development of neoplasms. All these factors stimulate the development of stomach cancer, less often intestinal cancer.

The danger of this condition is that the patient may not feel severe pain, especially if cancer occurs against the background of atrophic gastritis. Much more often, he feels aversion to protein foods, weakness, irritability, depression, and loses interest in the environment.

Diagnostics

In some patients with helicobacteriosis, certain symptoms may not be observed. Special tests are used to determine the presence of bacteria. Shown histological and special urease analysis to identify Helicobacter pylori.

Cytological examination is based on obtaining smears-prints, which are taken during endoscopy, and this procedure also requires biopsy specimens of the mucous membrane of a special antrum of the stomach. As a rule, a biopsy is taken sighting from those areas where visually the most pronounced deviations from the norms. A specialist in such areas can observe hyperemia and edema. Often, spiral helicobacteria are located in the center of the mucus.

Such a cytological study determines three main degrees of contamination of mucous membranes with bacteria. If there are less than 20 microbial bodies, a weak contamination is diagnosed, which does not cause concern for human health. Cellular infiltration is also detected when microorganisms are detected in smears-prints and plasma cells.

Depending on the amount of certain cellular elements, one can indirectly judge the pronounced degree of activity and the inflammatory process. In addition, such a study reveals proliferative processes in the mucous membranes, dysplasia and metaplasia, as well as various malignant formations. However, the cytological method does not give an idea of the structure of the mucous membranes.

A special urease test is considered an effective rapid method, which is mainly based on the activity of the microorganisms presented. It is made using a special carrier gel containing urea, a special bacteriostatic agent and a special phenol-roll as a necessary indicator. This pH indicator allows you to make accurate conclusions about the specific condition of the gastric mucous membranes. A mucosal biopsy obtained from endoscopy is also placed in this test.

In extremely rare cases, the test shows false negative results, which is possible with the weakness of the H. pylori infection. To increase the reliability, specialists usually use histological and urease methods. After antibacterial treatment, they should be repeated. If necessary, a repeated course of combination therapy of the anti-Helicobacter type can be prescribed, which will avoid quick relapses of the disease.

The special breathing test is non-invasive and safe. It allows you to easily determine the level of colonization of the population of mucous membranes by these microorganisms. Such an analysis is considered optimal for full control of eradication therapy. This study should be done on an empty stomach. First, special samples of the background exhaled air are taken, and then, after a light breakfast, a test substrate is used.

Various histological methods are designed to quickly detect Helicobacteria in biopsy specimens, allowing simultaneous study of morphological changes. The bright Giemsa staining method is the most accessible and simple. With this test, microorganisms are clearly visible on the surface of the epithelium and in the depths of the pits. Another histological method for accurate DNA hybridization is sensitive and highly specific. It allows the identification of numerous strains of Helicobacter pylori.

Other techniques are also used for diagnosis. These include immunological and microbiological methods, polymerase chain reaction, and the determination of antigen in feces. As a rule, blood and endoscopy results are taken for analysis, as well as breathing and feces are examined.

On the subject: Helicobacter pylori test: types of tests and decoding

Treatment and prevention of helicobacteriosis

The main treatment of helicobacteriosis mainly involves the long-term implementation of the necessary complex therapy, which is aimed at destroying harmful microorganisms in the human stomach (more about the treatment regimen).

It is this condition that is necessary for the full healing of all erosions and ulcers on the mucous membranes. Even if symptoms of the disease do not appear, it is not a complete cure. Bacteria are capable of not manifesting themselves for a long time, while they remain on the walls of the stomach in a passive state.

It should be noted that the development of this disease is directly affected by the lifestyle of a particular person. With smoking and alcohol abuse, with improper diet and constant nervous overstrain, the risk of infection increases significantly. For the treatment of the patient, complex therapy is indicated, including the use of modern antibiotics and special drugs to restore mucous membranes.

Compulsory treatment is indicated for maltoma of the stomach, atrophic gastritis, resection of the stomach for oncological formations, as well as for ulcerative conditions of the stomach and duodenum. It can be used not only during an exacerbation, but also in remission of the disease.

All treatment regimens for this Helicobacter pylori infection necessarily include at least three drugs. Typically, these include two carefully selected antibiotics and a dedicated proton pump inhibitor. With a dual regimen, treatment will in most cases be ineffective. Therefore, experienced specialists always select a triple eradication scheme. The duration of this treatment is seven days. Pariet is considered one of the fastest-acting antisecretory and antibacterial pharmacological drugs. It is included in complex therapy, prescribed at least twice a day. Already on the first day of such treatment, a reliable antisecretory effect is noticeable. Also, there is no need to use this drug before starting antibiotics, which is a definite plus.

To prevent infection with this infection, it is recommended to take rosehip syrup daily for one month. The dosage should be 1 tsp. After the course of treatment, you should take a two-week break and, if necessary, repeat the prophylactic drug intake.

Compliance with strict hygiene rules is also considered an equally important step. You should always wash your hands before every meal, do not use dirty dishes and towels. You should not use other people's personal hygiene products. If helicobacteriosis is detected in one family member, all other family members are subject to mandatory examination.

How to treat Helicobacter pylori in the stomach?

The combination of drugs has to be performed to accelerate the positive dynamics of treatment, since the bacterium quickly adapts to the drug effect.

Groups of drugs:

• antibiotics: Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Levofloxacin, cephalosporins, Amoxicillin, Flemoxin Solutab, Augmentin, Amoxiclav;
• bismuth preparations for the formation of protection of damaged tissues of the stomach and intestines: De-Nol;
• proton pump blockers to reduce the production of hydrochloric acid: Omeprazole, Omez, Ultop, Pantoprazole, Nolpaza, Rabeprozole.

In addition to using drugs, the patient is prescribed a therapeutic diet that prescribes frequent fractional meals, excluding spicy fatty foods saturated with spices. It is forbidden to smoke, drink alcohol, include sweets, carbonated water in the diet.

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Read more: Effective treatments for Helicobacter pylori

Consequences of not being treated

It is important to know what self-treatment of heliobacteriosis leads to or ignoring its symptoms. Only an accurate diagnosis, carried out under the guidance of a gastroenterologist, will make it possible to differentiate heliobacteriosis from other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract or other somatic pathologies. Only a doctor can determine the duration of the course of treatment, select drugs taking into account contraindications and side effects, based on the results of a comprehensive diagnosis.

A neglect of one's health threatens the formation of malignant tumors of the stomach and duodenal ulcer, perforation of an ulcer, and the development of sepsis.

The connection between heliobacteriosis and the following diseases has been proven:

• atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels and the brain;
• vascular migraine;
• Raynaud's disease;
• autoimmune diseases: atopic dermatitis, rosacea, alopecia areata (alopecia), iron deficiency anemia.

The connection of heliobacteriosis with the development of diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis is questionable.

Since the bacterium is the cause of the appearance of serious pathologies, you should not be irresponsible even for the minimal symptoms of trouble.

Author of the article: Danilova Tatyana Vyacheslavovna | Infectionist

Education: in 2008 received a diploma in General Medicine (General Medicine) at the Pirogov Russian Research Medical University. Immediately passed an internship and received a diploma of a therapist