1. It is a gram positive, spiral-shaped bacterium.
2. It uses an adhesion molecule (BabA) to bind to the 'Lewis b' antigen on gastric epithelial cells.
3. It produces 'urease' enzyme that helps to raise the pH around the bacterium.
4. It exclusively colonises only 'gastric-type' epithelium.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Helicobacter Pylori Statements Analysis
Let's evaluate each statement regarding Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori):
- Statement 1: Incorrect. H. pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium, not Gram-positive. It is typically described as spiral or helical-shaped.
- Statement 2: Correct. H. pylori utilizes adhesins like BabA (Blood group antigen-binding adhesin) to attach specifically to the 'Lewis b' antigen found on the surface of gastric epithelial cells, facilitating colonization.
- Statement 3: Correct. The bacterium produces a significant amount of the urease enzyme. Urease hydrolyzes urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide. The ammonia produced locally neutralizes stomach acid, raising the surrounding pH (from a very acidic in vivo pH of ~1.5-2.0 to a less harsh pH of ~6.0-7.0), which is crucial for its survival in the gastric environment. The reaction can be represented as: $ \text{Urea} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \xrightarrow{\text{Urease}} 2\text{NH}_3 + \text{CO}_2 $.
- Statement 4: Correct. H. pylori primarily colonizes the mucus layer overlying the gastric epithelium, particularly in the stomach's antrum region. It shows a strong preference for this 'gastric-type' epithelium.
Correct Statements Identification
Based on the analysis, statements 2, 3, and 4 are correct descriptions of Helicobacter Pylori characteristics and virulence factors.
Conclusion on Statements
Statement 1 is false because H. pylori is Gram-negative. Statements 2, 3, and 4 are true, describing its adhesion mechanism, urease activity for survival, and preferred colonization site.
Final Answer Selection
The combination of correct statements is 2, 3, and 4. This corresponds to Option C.
Important Questions from Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Modified Blatchford score is used for the risk stratification of:
- Presence of gastrinoma tumor should be suspected in which of the following conditions?
1. Ulcers in unusual location
2. Ulcers in the presence of H. pylori
3. Ulcers with frank complication like perforation
Select the correct answer using the code given below: - Which one of the following statements about Barrett's Oesophagus is NOT correct?
- Eradication of helicobacter pylori infection may prove beneficial in the following extra-gastric disorders EXCEPT:
Risk scoring system used to stratify the patients of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding to predict the need for intervention to treat bleeding is:
