Signs and symptoms of the disease include weight loss, lack of appetite, bloating, burping, and nausea. Bleeding ulcers can also cause dark stools. A lack of treatment can worsen the condition, causing ulcers to become deeper, and leading to stomach perforation (acid can leak out which can be very serious). 

Peptic Ulcers: Signs and Symptoms

H. pylori adheres to stomach epithelial cells using pili. Colonizing the cells, the bacteria produces urease to trigger an immune response and ammonia production, which neutralizes the stomach's acidic environment to make it more inhabitable. This destroys the stomach lining and decreases mucus production, leading to inflammation (gastritis) and ulcer formation. Ulcer formation can also be attributed to H. pylori exotoxin activity, with toxin VacA, including vacuole formation and promoting gastric epithelial tissue damage.

Peptic Ulcers: Virulence Factors

Helicobacter pylori bacteria is gram-negative and able to tolerate the stomach's acidic environment. It is also associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer.

University of Notre Dame

Ulcers of the stomach or duodenum associated with Helicobacter pylori bacteria

Peptic Ulcers

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