Ulcer Wars!

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Ulcer Wars!
Compiled by Mrs J Wright, Durban Girls High
School,2006
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Slide 1
The Problem an Ulcer!
Definition ulcer n. an open sore on an
external or
internal surface
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Ulcers found in the stomach lining, and though
to be caused by stressful living.
Slide 2
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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
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Slide 4
Dr Robin Warren - pathologist
Team work
The curious observation made by Dr Robin Warren
in the samples given to him to analyse. These
observations were investigated by Dr Marshall.
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Slide 5
In the laboratory. Team work to produce a culture
of H. pylori!
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Slide 6
Dr Barry Marshall 1981, Australia
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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!
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Slide 8
The villian!
A
Helicobacter pylori
C
B
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Slide 9
Removal of H. pylori and healing of the ulcer?
Scanning E.M of H.pylori on the stomach walls.
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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.
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Slide 11
Test kits for Helicobactera pylori
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Slide 12
Drinking the urea solution
Blowing out into a test tube.
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Slide 13
H. pylori breath test gas chromatograph reads
results.
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Slide 14
Ammonia identified in exhaled air. This is due to
H. pylori conversion of Urea into ammonia.
How the test works.
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Slide 15
Results that provide further proof of the
connection between H pylori and ulcers.
H pylori removed within 2 weeks after taking
antibiotics!
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Slide16
Communicating their findings

Book The Ease Difficulty of a New
Discovery. Author Robin Warren
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Slide17
Acceptance at last!
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Slide 18
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Slide 19
Nobel prize announced - 2005
From initial discovery in 1981 until
acknowledgment by the scientific community in
2005!
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Further findings
Slide 20
Now thought to be responsible for stomach cancer
and heart disease. Remove H pylori and reduce the
risk!
H. pylori in the blood
Spread by poverty and down through the families!
Simple prevention!