EXAM #1: PATHOLOGY OF THE STOMACH Flashcards
What is the definition of gastritis?
Acidic damage causing superficial inflammation of the gastric mucosa
What is the underlying cause of acute gastritis?
Imbalance of mucosal defenses and acidic environment
What are the three major mucosal defenses?
1) Mucin layer
2) Bicarbonate secretion
3) Normal blood supply
Normal blood supply delivers nutrients and removes acid*
What wall layer does acute gastritis NOT penetrate through?
Muscularis mucosa
What causes acute gastritis?
1) NSAIDs (esp Aspirin) b/c of decreased PGE2
2) Alcohol
3) Chemotherapy
4) Increased ICP–>vagal stimulation that increases acid production
5) Severe burns–>hypovolemia causing decreased blood flow
6) Shock–>decreased blood flow
Describe the morphology of mild acute gastritis.
- Hyperemia and edema
- Neutrophils above BM
Describe the morphology of severe acute gastritis.
Erosion of entire mucosal thickness and hemorrhage
What are the clinical features of acute gastritis?
Hematemesis*
Melena
*Especially in alcoholics
What is the definition of chronic gastritis? What does chronic gastritis lead to?
Chronic inflammatory changes of the gastric mucosa leading to:
- Mucosal atrophy
- Intestinal metaplasia
What at patients with chronic gastritis at risk for?
Progression to gastric carcinoma
What is the most common cause of Chronic Gastritis?
H. pylori
What are the characteristics of H. pylori?
Gram negative
Bacillus
S-shaped
Is H. pylori motile or non-motile?
Motile–contains a flagella
What enzyme allows H. pylori to survive in the gastric mucosa?
Urease
What allows H. pylori to bind to the epithelial surface of the stomach? What is the most common site of infection?
- Adhesins
- Antrum
What factors associated with H. pylori induce the production of cytokines?
CagA
VacA
These are proinflammatory peptides associated with some strains of H. pylori
There are divergent responses to H. pylori infection. When H. pylori causes disease, what is the most common outcome?
- Increased acid
- Increased gastrin
Leading to DUODENAL ULCER disease
What is the less common scenario that occurs with H. pylori infection?
- Decreased acid
- Increased gastrin
Leading to a high risk of GASTRIC CARCINOMA
What is autoimmune gastritis?
Gastritis that results from autoantibodies to parietal and IF cells
What are the consequences of IF antibodies?
Pernicious anemia and megaloblastic anemia (B12 deficiency)
What cancer are patients with autoimmune gastritis most at risk for?
Gastric carcinoma
What does achlorhydia distinguish between?
Autoimmune gastritis can lead to achlorhydia, H. pylori does NOT
Which primary cause of Chronic Gastritis can lead to Lymphoma and PUD?
H. pylori