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Peptic Ulcers: Virulence Factors
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.
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