Author
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SMITH, JAMES - 1935-30 |
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Submitted to: Journal of Food Protection
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 2/7/2003 Publication Date: 4/30/2003 Citation: SMITH, J.L. THE ROLE OF GASTRIC ACID IN PREVENTING FOOD BORNE DISEASE AND BACTERIA OVERCOME ACID CONDITIONS. JOURNAL OF FOOD PROTECTION. 2003. Journal of Food Protection. vol.66. p.1292-1303. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Secretion of hydrochloric acid by the stomach plays an important role in protecting the body against pathogens ingested with food or water. The gastric fluid pH of 1 to 2 is deleterious to many microbial pathogens; however, the neutralization of gastric acid by antacids or the inhibition of acid secretion by various drugs may increase the risk of food or water borne illnesses. Since peptic ulcer disease is often treated by decreasing or eliminating gastric acid secretion, the protective anti-bacterial action of gastric fluid is blocked. The majority of peptic ulcer disease cases originate from Helicobacter pylori infections. Treatment of H. pylori-induced peptic ulcers with antibiotics reduces the need for drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion and thereby diminishes the risk of food and water borne illness to peptic ulcer disease patients. Many bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium or H. pylori can circumvent the acid conditions of the stomach by developing adaptive mechanisms that allow them to survive in acid environments. As a consequence, these bacteria can survive acidic stomach conditions and pass into the intestinal tract with the possibility of inducing gastroenteritis. |
