Compiled by
Mrs J Wright, Durban Girls’ High School,2006
Slide 1
The Problem – an Ulcer!
Definition : ulcer n. an open sore on an external
or internal surface
Ulcers – found in the stomach lining, and though to be caused
by stressful living.
Slide 2
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
Slide 4
Dr Robin Warren - pathologist
The curious observation made by
Dr Robin Warren in the samples
given to him to analyse.
These observations were investigated
by Dr Marshall.
Slide 5
In the laboratory.
Team work to produce
a culture of H. pylori!
Slide 6
Dr Barry Marshall – 1981, Australia
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!
Slide 8
The villian!
A
Helicobacter pylori
B
C
Slide 9
Scanning E.M of H.pylori on
the stomach walls.
Removal of H. pylori
and healing of the
ulcer?
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.
Slide 11
Test kits for
Helicobactera pylori
Slide 12
Drinking the urea solution:
Blowing out into a test tube.
Slide 13
H. pylori breath test – gas chromatograph reads results.
Slide 14
How the test works.
Ammonia identified in exhaled air.
This is due to H. pylori conversion of
Urea into ammonia.
Slide 15
Results that provide further proof of the
connection between H pylori and ulcers.
H pylori removed within 2 weeks after taking
antibiotics!
Slide16
Communicating their findings
Book: The Ease &
Difficulty of a New
Discovery.
Author: Robin Warren
Slide17
Acceptance at
last!
Slide 18
Slide 19
Nobel prize announced - 2005
From initial discovery in
1981 until acknowledgment
by the scientific community
in 2005!
Slide 20
Further findings…
H. pylori in the blood
Spread by poverty
and down through
the families!
Simple prevention!
Now thought
to be responsible for
stomach cancer and
heart disease. Remove
H pylori and reduce the
risk!