H. pylori
Noun 1. A bacterium: Helicobacter pylori (commonly abbreviated as H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that infects the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). It is known for producing an enzyme called urease and is a major cause of various gastroduodenal diseases.
H. pylori is used as a singular noun to refer to the bacterial species. It is typically treated as a non-count noun in medical and scientific contexts.
- Noun:
- The doctor ordered a test to check for the presence of H. pylori in the patient's stomach.
- Eradication of H. pylori is often necessary to heal certain types of ulcers.
- Infection with H. pylori is very common worldwide.
- Medical Diagnosis: The term is central in discussions of diagnostic tests (e.g., breath test, stool antigen test, biopsy) and treatment regimens (e.g., triple therapy).
- The urea breath test is a non-invasive method to detect active H. pylori infection.
- Helicobacter pylori: The full, formal scientific name.
- Campylobacter pylori: An older, now less common taxonomic name for the same bacterium.
- Helicobacter (when used informally in a medical context to refer to this specific species).
The definition specifically refers to the type species of its genus, meaning it is the species that defines the genus Helicobacter. Its key characteristic of producing urease allows it to survive in the acidic stomach environment. It is associated with several diseases, meaning it is a causative or contributing factor, including: - Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) - Gastric (stomach) ulcers - Duodenal ulcers - Other peptic ulcers
It is important to note that not everyone infected with H. pylori develops symptoms or disease.
- the type species of genus Heliobacter; produces urease and is associated with several gastroduodenal diseases (including gastritis and gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers and other peptic ulcers)