Helicobacter Flashcards
1
Q
Spread?
A
Human to human via fecal-oral route or gastric secretions.
2
Q
What does it cause?
A
Duodenal and gastric ulcers
3
Q
T or F. There is an association with gastric adenocarcinomas and lymphomas.
A
T
4
Q
Shape?
A
Slender, curved Gram Negative rods
5
Q
Can they move around?
A
Yes. Motile with polar flagella.
6
Q
Oxygen requirements?
A
Microaerophilic
7
Q
What are the 4 virulence factors of H. pylori?
A
- VacA
- PAI encoded Type III secretion system
- Cag
- Urease
8
Q
What does VacA do?
A
Vacuolating cytotoxin: punches holes in organelles.
9
Q
What does Cag do?
A
Rearranges cytoskeleton
10
Q
Why is it important for H. pylori to have urease?
A
Neutralizes H+ of stomach
11
Q
What causes the ulcers?
A
Combination of cell destruction by VacA, Cag, and the immune response leads to ulcers.
12
Q
Diagnosis?
A
- Endoscopy w/ biopsy and culture
- Urea breath test
- Serology useful to monitor recovery
13
Q
Treatment?
A
- Omeprazole
- Metronidazole
- Clarithromycin
