The fascinating case of H. pylori
You may not think of microbiology having drama and mystery, but helicobacter pylori is here to change your mind!
First, we have a man who sacrificed his body for h. Pylori…
Yes, you read that correctly.
Australian scientist, Barry James Marshall, was so confident in his findings of a specific bacteria causing stomach ulcers, that to prove his point, he used himself as a science experiment. In 1984, he established a baseline of his stomach tissue, prepared a sample of the bacteria, CONSUMED IT, subsequently developed stomach ulcers, and then sought treatment. Have you ever been so dedicated to your craft?!
Second, we have the rollercoaster of h. Pylori’s reputation. When Marshall demonstrated that it caused ulcers, the bacteria was demonized, and thus was eliminated in patients when detected. Science says it's bad, so get rid of it, right? Meh. Turns out this all or nothing approach wasn’t perfect. An absence of H. pylori at a young age is connected to negative outcomes such as allergies and other atopic diseases.
Over 50% of adults in the US have this bacteria, but not everyone experiences ulcers. Perhaps the prevention of asthma and other issues are worth the ulcer risk? Since we receive this bacteria from our parents, researchers predict that in the future, H. pylori will be eliminated from adults after reproductive age. This theoretically would allow infants and children the benefit of having their immune system trained by the bacteria, but then removed at an older age when the risk of ulcer might be higher.
I can’t think of a better illustration of microbiology, or science in general. We are constantly learning, implementing new ideas and technologies, updating what we thought we knew, and on and on. Both the fascinating complexity, and space for exploration, is boundless.
TLDR: The infamous bacteria that causes ulcers was proven by a scientist who gave himself ulcers on purpose! Also, as with many bacteria, it’s not all bad. No need to completely demonize H. pylori.
Sources and helpful info:
Enders, G. (2015). Gut: The inside story of our body’s most underrated organ. Greystone Books.
Konturek, S. J., Konturek, P. C., Brzozowski, T., Konturek, J. W., & Pawlik, W. W. (2005). From nerves and hormones to bacteria in the stomach; Nobel prize for achievements in gastrology during last century. Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society, 56(4), 507–530.
http://www.jpp.krakow.pl/journal/archive/12_05/pdf/507_12_05_article.pdf
Kyle, R. A., Steensma, D. P., & Shampo, M. A. (2016). Discovery of Helicobacter pylori as a cause of peptic ulcer. Stamp vignette on medical science, 91(5), 67-68.
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0025-6196%2816%2930032-5
