Final answer:
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is responsible for causing gastric ulcers. It survives in the stomach's acidic environment, causing chronic gastritis and increasing ulcer and cancer risks. Treatment usually requires antibiotics and acid-reducing medication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bacterium Helicobacter pylori, known as H. pylori, is responsible for causing gastric ulcers. Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that has adapted to live in the acidic environment of the human stomach. It is associated with chronic gastritis, which can lead to the development of ulcers in the stomach and duodenum, as well as increasing the risk of stomach cancer.
H. pylori uses urease and other enzymes to create a less acidic microenvironment which allows it to persist and colonize the stomach lining. The immune response and damage to the stomach lining from the infection, along with the activity of bacterial toxins such as VacA, contribute to the formation of ulcers.
The most common method of transmission of H. pylori is through contaminated food, water, or saliva. Treatment typically involves a combination of antibiotics to eradicate the infection and medications to decrease stomach acid and facilitate healing. However, antibiotic resistance has become an issue, necessitating alternative treatment strategies.