Marshall and Warren discovered that the organism was there in almost every patient with gastric ulcer and inflammation. Based on the results of their findings, they suggested that Helicobacter pylori are involved in the aetiology of these diseases. In fact, Helicobacter pylori cause over 90% of duodenal ulcers and about 80% of gastric ulcers. After this discovery, research has been deep. This bacterium can be diagnosed by identification of the organism in biopsies, by antibody tests or by non-invasive breath test which recognizes bacterial production of an enzyme in the stomach. The use of antibiotics to eliminate Helicobacter pylori may lead to severe problems since bacteria and chronic inflammation of the stomach remains. Marshall, Warren and other researchers showed that patients could be cured from peptic ulcer by eradication of the bacteria from the stomach. Due to Marshall and Warren's discovery, peptic ulcer is no longer a chronic disabling disease but can be cured by a short regimen of antibiotics and acid secretion inhibitors.

Stomach Ulcer Bacteria Survival in the Stomach:

Helicobacter pylori are the cause of many stomach ulcers and stomach cancer. More than half the population carries Helicobacter pylori without realizing it. Despite the strong reaction of the body, the bacterium usually activates the body's immune defenses leading to unending inflammation in the mucous membrane. When this bacterium infects the body, white blood cells try to amplify their manufacture of bactericidal substances known as free radicals (Claessen par, 4). The bacterium in return produces antioxidants...

Helicobacter pylori survive stomach acidity by producing an enzyme that breaks down urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide. The ammonia and carbon dioxide neutralizes the hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
The bacterium also deteriorates the protective mucous coating of the stomach and duodenum (H. Pylori and Peptic Ulcer par, 5). This permits acid to get through to the sensitive lining beneath with both the acid and the bacteria frustrating the lining causing a sore, or ulcer. By secreting enzymes that neutralize the acid, Helicobacter pylori finds its way to the protective mucous lining. Once there, the bacterium's spiral shape helps it hideaway through the lining and thus surviving in the stomach.

Works Cited:

Claessen, Elin L. "How Stomach Ulcer Bacteria Survive in the Stomach." UNIVERSITY of GOTHENBURG. University of Gothenburg, Sweden, 1 Nov. 2007. Web. 10 Mar. 2010. .

"The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2005." Nobelprize.org. Nobel Web, 3 Oct. 2005. Web. 10 Mar. 2010. .

United States. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Viral Gastroenteritis. By Mary K. Estes and Robert Atmar. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Feb. 2006. Web. 10 Mar. 2010. .

United States. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. H. Pylori and Peptic Ulcer. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Oct. 2004. Web. 10 Mar. 2010. .