In October 2005, Dr. Robbin Warren and Dr. Barry Marshall were awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery of Helicobacter Pylori (H.Pylori for short). Helicobacter pylori is a spiral shaped bacteria with 4 to 7 whip-like structures called flagella. It can be found burrowed deep in the mucus layer of the stomach. The discovery of this bacteria was extremely important because it was one of the main causes for ulcers, stomach cancer and other diseases of the upper digestive system. (Fleming, 2007) In the United States, the annual cost associated with peptic ulcer disease is estimated to be $6 billion and gastric cancer kills over 700,000 people per year globally. (Testerman, 2014). In one hand, those affected with Helicobacter Pylori may not
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The stomach has a lining of mucosa and columnar epithelial cells to create a barrier so that the acid does not damage stomach tissue. The thick lining of mucosa is a layer composed of a protein called Mucin. It helps to neutralize the acid in the environment immediately adjacent to the stomach wall (Fleming, 2007). The columnar epithelial cells secrete the Mucin in order to create the mucus lining. These cells are attached together by gap junctions which makes them a great barrier and does not allow secretions to flow out the organ. When the Helicobacter Pylori enters the stomach, bacteria begin to destroy parts of the organ and that is when people begin feeling aches and pains. The characteristics of Helicobacter pylori bacteria are advantageous when it comes to surviving and living in the stomach. They have unique characteristics to protect themselves from the highly acidic region of the stomach. It has 3 protective layers; the lipopolysaccharide (LPS layer), the Periplasmic space and Peptidoglycan. It also has flagella to help it swim to its destination. The bacteria use their own secretions to liquefy the thick mucus layer and are able to penetrate into the epithelial cells to steal their nutrients for its own survival. Once the bacteria have done enough damage, the acidic secretions from the interior organ can seep through the underlying tissue …show more content…
One idea that stands out is the use of a vaccine. A vaccine works by mixing different types of foreign proteins and molecules together, and then are introduced to the body through injection or oral medication. The foreign substances stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies and become stronger against a disease. As a result, this vaccine could prevent H.Pylori from developing in the human body or could also be an effective treatment in fighting off and possibly curing an infected person. Since this disease affects almost half of the world population, finding new treatments are a high priority. If scientists discover a cure for H.Pylori disease, it is no doubt they will dramatically improve the quality of human health worldwide (Fleming, 2007).
Interesting Fact about Helicobacter Pylori Helicobacter pylori is an extraordinary bacterium. According to Dr. Allison and Dr. Gerszten, who study diseases that have spread through humans over time, human ancestors not only suffered from the same modern-day diarrheal parasites, but were also infected with Helicobacter Pylori! This is evidence that humans and Helicobacters have had a very long history together (Fleming,
The stomach has a lining of mucosa and columnar epithelial cells to create a barrier so that the acid does not damage stomach tissue. The thick lining of mucosa is a layer composed of a protein called Mucin. It helps to neutralize the acid in the environment immediately adjacent to the stomach wall (Fleming, 2007). The columnar epithelial cells secrete the Mucin in order to create the mucus lining. These cells are attached together by gap junctions which makes them a great barrier and does not allow secretions to flow out the organ. When the Helicobacter Pylori enters the stomach, bacteria begin to destroy parts of the organ and that is when people begin feeling aches and pains. The characteristics of Helicobacter pylori bacteria are advantageous when it comes to surviving and living in the stomach. They have unique characteristics to protect themselves from the highly acidic region of the stomach. It has 3 protective layers; the lipopolysaccharide (LPS layer), the Periplasmic space and Peptidoglycan. It also has flagella to help it swim to its destination. The bacteria use their own secretions to liquefy the thick mucus layer and are able to penetrate into the epithelial cells to steal their nutrients for its own survival. Once the bacteria have done enough damage, the acidic secretions from the interior organ can seep through the underlying tissue …show more content…
One idea that stands out is the use of a vaccine. A vaccine works by mixing different types of foreign proteins and molecules together, and then are introduced to the body through injection or oral medication. The foreign substances stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies and become stronger against a disease. As a result, this vaccine could prevent H.Pylori from developing in the human body or could also be an effective treatment in fighting off and possibly curing an infected person. Since this disease affects almost half of the world population, finding new treatments are a high priority. If scientists discover a cure for H.Pylori disease, it is no doubt they will dramatically improve the quality of human health worldwide (Fleming, 2007).
Interesting Fact about Helicobacter Pylori Helicobacter pylori is an extraordinary bacterium. According to Dr. Allison and Dr. Gerszten, who study diseases that have spread through humans over time, human ancestors not only suffered from the same modern-day diarrheal parasites, but were also infected with Helicobacter Pylori! This is evidence that humans and Helicobacters have had a very long history together (Fleming,