1. Bacteria Ulcers

2. The Problem – an Ulcer! Slide 1
Definition : ulcer n. an open sore on an external
or internal surface

3. Ulcers – found in the stomach lining, and though to be caused
by stressful living.
Slide 2

4. Using an endoscope to view an ulcer and a tissue sample then
Slide 3
Using an endoscope to view an ulcer and a tissue sample then
taken to be analysed
View of an ulcer in the stomach

5. Dr Robin Warren - pathologist
Slide 4
Dr Robin Warren - pathologist
Team work
The curious observation made by
Dr Robin Warren in the samples
given to him to analyse.
These observations were investigated
by Dr Marshall.

6. Slide 5 In the laboratory. Team work to produce
a culture of H. pylori!

7. Dr Barry Marshall – 1981, Australia
Slide 6
Dr Barry Marshall – 1981, Australia

8. Culture of Helicobacter pylori
Slide 7
Culture of Helicobacter pylori
A sample was taken and viewed under the
Electron Microscope
After months of trials and failures,
an unplanned long weekend in the incubator
produced a result!

9. Slide 8
The villian! A
Helicobacter pylori C B

10. and healing of the ulcer?
Slide 9
Removal of H. pylori
and healing of the ulcer?
Scanning E.M of H.pylori on
the stomach walls.

11. H. pylori causes excess production
Slide 10
How the ulcer is formed
H. pylori causes excess production
of HCl by cells of the stomach lining. The stomach is trying to
kill the bacterium.
The excess acid removes
the mucus layer and the
stomach cells are then attacked,
resulting in an ulcer.
Acid inhibitors such as Tagamet now usually prescribed for relief
but they have to be taken continually.

12. Slide 11
Test kits for
Helicobactera pylori

13. Drinking the urea solution: Blowing out into a test tube.
Slide 12
Drinking the urea solution:
Blowing out into a test tube.

14. H. pylori breath test – gas chromatograph reads results.
Slide 13
H. pylori breath test – gas chromatograph reads results.

15. Ammonia identified in exhaled air.
Slide 14
Ammonia identified in exhaled air.
This is due to H. pylori conversion of
Urea into ammonia.
How the test works.

16. H pylori removed within 2 weeks after taking antibiotics!
Slide 15
Results that provide further proof of the connection between H pylori and ulcers.
H pylori removed within 2 weeks after taking antibiotics!

17. Communicating their findings
Slide16
Communicating their findings
Book: The Ease & Difficulty of a New Discovery.
Author: Robin Warren

18. Slide17
Acceptance at last!

19. Slide 18

20. From initial discovery in 1981 until acknowledgment
Slide 19
Nobel prize announced
From initial discovery in
1981 until acknowledgment
by the scientific community
in 2005!

21. to be responsible for stomach cancer and heart disease. Remove
Slide 20
Further findings…
Now thought
to be responsible for stomach cancer and heart disease. Remove
H pylori and reduce the risk!
H. pylori in the blood
Spread by poverty
and down through
the families!
Simple prevention!