Which one is the commonest bacteria causing gastritis?

UPPSC-2021

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: UPPSC-2021

Explanation

Helicobacter pylori is the most prevalent bacterial pathogen that causes gastritis, being responsible for the majority of chronic gastritis cases.
It is uniquely adapted to survive in the stomach's acidic environment by producing the enzyme urease, which neutralizes acid by generating ammonia.
This colonization leads to a persistent inflammatory response in the gastric mucosa.
Chronic infection with H. pylori is a major risk factor for developing peptic ulcers, gastric adenocarcinoma, and MALT lymphoma.

Option A: Salmonella species are a common cause of food poisoning (gastroenteritis) and typhoid fever. The infection primarily affects the intestines, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, not chronic inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis).
Option C: Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It typically infects the mucous membranes of the urogenital tract, rectum, and pharynx. It is not associated with gastrointestinal infections like gastritis.
Option D: This option is incorrect because there is a correct answer among the choices. Helicobacter pylori is the well-established and most common bacterial cause of gastritis.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Bacterial etiology of gastritis helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses play a crucial role in educating patients with H. pylori gastritis about the importance of adhering strictly to the prescribed multi-drug antibiotic regimen to ensure complete eradication and prevent antibiotic resistance.
Patient teaching should include lifestyle modifications such as avoiding NSAIDs, alcohol, and smoking, as these can exacerbate gastritis and hinder healing.
It is important to arrange for follow-up testing (e.g., urea breath test or stool antigen test) at least 4 weeks after therapy completion to confirm eradication and reduce the risk of long-term complications like peptic ulcers and gastric cancer.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: "commonest bacteria" and "gastritis". This is a factual recall question asking for the primary bacterial agent causing stomach inflammation.
Evaluate each option based on your knowledge of microbiology and infectious diseases.
Recall or deduce that Helicobacter pylori is famously associated with the stomach, ulcers, and gastritis due to its ability to survive in acid.
Consider Salmonella. This bacterium is a well-known cause of food poisoning, which affects the intestines and causes diarrhea (gastroenteritis), not primarily gastritis.
Consider Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This is the causative agent of gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection, and is unrelated to the gastrointestinal system in this context.
Conclude that Helicobacter pylori is the only plausible answer for the most common bacterial cause of gastritis.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QR8iC9b7cmWMXQH3kh7-Wa

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 423-425

E6 Microbiology OneStop Sastry p. 85-87

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 77-79