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USMLE/1
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Mountain with a flag at the peak
Textbook
1. Anatomy
2. Microbiology
2.1 General bacteriology
2.2 Introduction to systemic bacteriology
2.3 Gram positive cocci
2.4 Gram negative cocci
2.5 Gram positive bacilli
2.6 Gram negative bacilli
2.7 Other important bacteria
2.7.1 Overview
2.7.2 Helicobacter pylori
2.7.3 Campylobacter jejuni
2.7.4 Haemophilus influenzae
2.7.5 Bordetella pertussis
2.7.6 Legionella pneumophila
2.7.7 Brucella
2.7.8 Mycobacteria
2.7.9 Actinomycetes
2.7.10 Nocardia
2.7.11 Mycoplasma pneumoniae
2.7.12 Treponema pallidum
2.7.13 Borrelia burgdorferi
2.7.14 Chlamydia / Chlamydophila
2.7.15 Rickettsia
2.7.16 Coxiella burnetii
2.7.17 Additional information
2.8 Virology
2.9 Parasitology
2.10 Mycology
3. Physiology
4. Pathology
5. Pharmacology
6. Immunology
7. Biochemistry
8. Cell and molecular biology
9. Biostatistics and epidemiology
10. Genetics
11. Behavioral science
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2.7.2 Helicobacter pylori
Achievable USMLE/1
2. Microbiology
2.7. Other important bacteria

Helicobacter pylori

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It is a spiral/helical/curved Gram negative bacteria motile with a tuft of polar flagella. It is strongly urease positive as well as being oxidase and catalase positive. It has a predilection for the gastric mucus glands. Urease helps in invasion as it neutralizes the acidic pH in the stomach helping the organism to survive. It breaks down the gastric protective mucus layer predisposing to peptic ulcer disease.

Urease test
Urease test

All patients with peptic ulcer disease must be screened for H.pylori by urea breath test, antigen detection in stool, IgG antibody detection from blood or rarely gastric mucosal biopsy. H.pylori has also been associated with chronic gastritis and MALT lymphomas (mucosa associated lymphoid tissue) and gastrointestinal B cell lymphomas. Interestingly, both peptic ulcer disease and MALT lymphomas are cured once H. pylori is eradicated from the body.

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