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==<b>Who is at risk? </b>== | ==<b>Who is at risk? </b>== | ||
In the United States, age emerges as a significant determinant of <i>H. pylori</i> infection, with over half of infected individuals aged 50 and above. Moreover, disparities in genetics and health further exacerbate the prevalence of the infection among African Americans, with around half of Latin American and Eastern European descent also affected by <i>H. pylori</i>. | In the United States, age emerges as a significant determinant of <i>H. pylori</i> infection, with over half of infected individuals aged 50 and above. Moreover, disparities in genetics and health further exacerbate the prevalence of the infection among African Americans, with around half of Latin American and Eastern European descent also affected by <i>H. pylori</i>.[https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/helicobacter-pylori] | ||
[[Image:Stomachlayers.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The epithelial cell layer acts as a chemical barrier from the pathogens that could enter the mucosa and deeper tissue and cause infection[https://www.shutterstock.com/search/human-stomach-histology]]]. | [[Image:Stomachlayers.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The epithelial cell layer acts as a chemical barrier from the pathogens that could enter the mucosa and deeper tissue and cause infection[https://www.shutterstock.com/search/human-stomach-histology]]]. | ||
Revision as of 02:53, 11 April 2024
The Cause of Gastric Cancer
By Alexis Newman
Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, flagella-bearing spiral-shaped proteobacterium1 that can grow in extremely acidic environments, like the stomach2. Its "Helico-" name derives from its helical body and because of its shape, the bacteria can make its way through the viscous lining of the stomach with help from stomach enzymes. However, once H. pylori gets colonized in the stomach, its shape can convert from the rod shape to an inactive coccoid shape3.
Helicobacter pylori is a class 1 carcinogenic bacteria, 1 being named the most carcinogenic a microbe can be and 4 being non-carcinogenic. H. pylori was determined to be a class 1 carcinogen more than 30 years ago from purely epidemiological data. This investigation showed a positive relationship between gastritis cancer and H. pylori. A couple of years after this phenomenon, in 1991, further evidence showed the prevalence of H. pylori antibodies in patients with gastric and bowel cancer 4.
Interstingly, H. pylori infection is not a problem for all hosts, and some people will go their whole lives with no effects[4]. However, for the 20 - 30% of people who are infected, the consequences can be life-threatening: gastritis (stomach cancer), peptic ulcers, and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Investigation reports state that at least 7 million cases of these listed diseases happen annually, worldwide[5].
Who is at risk?
In the United States, age emerges as a significant determinant of H. pylori infection, with over half of infected individuals aged 50 and above. Moreover, disparities in genetics and health further exacerbate the prevalence of the infection among African Americans, with around half of Latin American and Eastern European descent also affected by H. pylori.[6]
.
The risk of H. pylori infection significantly increases when combined with aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and/or frequent steroid use. These medications compromise the stomach's epithelial barrier, creating a more favorable environment conducive to H. pylori colonization and persistence. Once the bacteria breach this barrier and infiltrate the gastric mucosa, the risk of developing complications like ulcers and long-term gastric cancer escalates.
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Legend/credit: Magnified 20,000X, this colorized scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicts a grouping of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria. Photo credit: CDC. Every image requires a link to the source.
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