Stomach infections cause symptoms such as vomiting and abdominal pain. However, there is a gut bacteria that appears to be linked to cancer.
The relationship between Helicobacter pylori and stomach cancer is being researched in medical science because the prevalence of this bacteria in humans is high. What would happen if the microorganism were an oncological risk factor?
Symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting can be indicative of gastritis, and gastritis has different causes. One of them is the presence of the bacteria Helicobacter pylori in the digestive tract. Prevalence studies estimate that over 70% of infections with this microorganism are asymptomatic.
This bacterium is a puzzle for researchers, because besides gastritis and peptic ulcers, it seems to be linked to some kind of cancer. Is this bacteria so dangerous? In this space, we give you the answer to this question.
Helicobacter pylori bacteria
Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacterium in the form of a helical bacillus. It lives in the human gastric epithelium, that is, inside the stomach.
The bacteria are about three microns in size and have four to six flagella, which allows them to move around freely. She is microarophilic, so she needs oxygen for her survival, albeit at low concentrations.
Each human population has characteristic strains of H. pylori. This allowed scientists to estimate the migratory patterns of humans in ancient times, showing the relevance of the microorganism and its presence since time immemorial.
How is it transmitted and spread?
This bacteria has been isolated from fecal and oral samples from infected patients, so it is suggested that the most common mode of transmission is kissing or oral contact. It is a microorganism that we acquire at an early age, due to its large geographical distribution.
In some parts of the world, the fecal-oral route is the one chosen by the bacteria to spread. The consumption of water infected or contaminated by waste, is a simple way of entry.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy