Final answer:
It is true that infections by Helicobacter pylori can cause gastric ulcers as the bacterium damages the stomach lining after neutralizing the stomach acid.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a stomach infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori causes gastric ulcers is True. The gram-negative bacterium Helicobacter pylori is indeed able to survive the acidic environment of the stomach and is known to cause peptic ulcers, which are sores in the lining of the stomach or the duodenum. H. pylori does this by colonizing the stomach epithelial cells, producing urease enzyme which neutralizes stomach acid, and causing damage to the stomach lining making it prone to ulceration.
Treatment for peptic ulcers typically involves antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori and medications to reduce stomach acid. However, antibiotic resistance can make treatment challenging. Notably, infection with H. pylori may protect against certain other conditions, such as esophageal adenocarcinoma and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), though its role in causing peptic ulcers and increased risk for stomach cancer is well-established.