The microbiological culture of Helicobacter pylori from gastric fluid is mainly used to isolate the microorganism and then check its sensitivity to various antimicrobial drugs. The culture of Helicobacter pylori is also used, rare, for the laboratory diagnosis of infections with this microbe in patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers.
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Helicobacter pylori colonizes and infects the stomach mucosa, causing gastritis, duodenal ulcers, and sometimes stomach ulcers. Chronic atrophic gastritis can lead to gastric adenocarcinoma.
Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped, Gram-negative microbe, with 4-6 flagella on one pole. Pathogenic factors of the microbe include its intense mobility, adhesion to the surface of stomach epithelial cells, the urease enzyme that releases ammonia from urea (thus alkalizing the environment to facilitate the survival of microorganisms in an extremely acidic environment), and VacA vacuolating toxin that destroys epithelial cells.
When the microorganism invades the stomach tissues it results in acute gastritis, the course of which may or may not include the appearance of symptoms. Helicobacter pylori infection can result in:
- Mild chronic gastritis that can last for years or even decades and is often asymptomatic
- Duodenal ulcer and sometimes stomach ulcer
- Chronic atrophic gastritis from which gastric adenocarcinoma can sometimes develop
- Rarely, MALTomas, B-cell lymphomas of the gastric mucosa
Helicobacter pylori has a worldwide spread. Infection begins in childhood and can reach 100% of the adult population in areas with poor hygiene. The incidence of infection reaches approximately 50% among adults in Western societies, but microbial infection does not necessarily lead to disease. Helicobacter pylori only affects humans and is transmitted through the fecal-oral route.
