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Glite Dictionary
Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori

1 3.7
A spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in the stomach and can cause stomach inflammation and ulcers
  • noun
  • /ˌhɛlɪkoʊˈbæktər paɪˈlɔri/
  • Specialized
: Helicobacter pylori
  • The discovery of Helicobacter pylori was a breakthrough in understanding the cause of stomach ulcers.

Examples

  • Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to eradicate Helicobacter pylori from the stomach.

  • Doctors often test for Helicobacter pylori in patients with stomach issues.

  • If left untreated, an infection with Helicobacter pylori can lead to chronic gastritis.

  • Is Helicobacter pylori dangerous?

  • If left untreated, an infection with Helicobacter pylori can lead to chronic gastritis.

  • Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to eradicate Helicobacter pylori from the stomach.

  • The discovery of Helicobacter pylori was a breakthrough in understanding the cause of stomach ulcers.

Synonyms

H. pylori
vsHelicobacter pylori
  • Specialized
2 6.3

A germ that infects the stomach lining and often causes ulcers and stomach pain

is the full scientific species name rather than the abbreviated form

Surface Forms

Helicobacter pylori singular

Morphology

Helicobacter + pylori

This is a Latin binomial (scientific species) name, not a compositional English phrase, so its medical sense ('a spiral bacterium of the stomach') cannot be derived from the surface tokens. Even if a learner recognizes 'bacter' as related to bacteria, the specific association with the stomach and disease (pylori) requires specialized knowledge, so it is not predictable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Helicobacter pylori comes from parts that describe the microbe's shape and home; helico means 'spiral', bacter means 'bacterium', and pylori points to the lower part of the stomach, so the name helps you remember it is a spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in the stomach.