Discussion 3

Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that is found in the stomach of more than 50% of the human population (Wikipedia). It was identified in 1982 so it is considered emerging, and is now believed to be the cause of some forms of chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers (Wikipedia). It is believed that the helix shape of the bacterium has evolved to penetrate the mucoid lining of the stomach, so there has been a link associated between the bacterium, stomach cancer, and certain types of ulcers (Wikipedia). While 80% of the people that carry the bacteria have no symptoms those that do experience bloating, belching, nausea, and vomiting (Davis). The rates of exposure to the bacteria and sanitation quality is also interesting to note as up to 90% of a population with poor sanitation can be affected (Davis). Today we know that up to 90% of people with ulcers also have detectible organisms in their stomach so one might think that this could contribute to a general shift in the opinion that ulcers and stomach cancer do not have a microbial cause therefore possibly reducing the occurrence of both of these things by looking at ways to treat or control cases of infection (Davis). 

Emerging infections pose a definite challenge to the future of humans because it is often hard to predict the ways in which a bacteria like H. pylori will evolve and affect us, some mutations could be harmless and others could be the cause of a devastating disease like cancer. We also know that we will be faced with the challenge of treating bacterial infections in the future due to the resistance they are forming to our antibiotics, so as this bacteria has evolved to become damaging to the lining of our stomach it might also develop resistance to our antibiotics and possibly contribute to a larger incidence of ulcers and stomach cancer.

Davis, Charles P. Helicobacter Pylori H. pylori.MedicineNet. http://www.medicinenet.com/helicobacter_pylori/article.htm> Accessed April 26, 2013.

Helicobacter pylori. Wikipedia. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicobacter_pylori> Accessed April 26, 2013.