HOUSEFLIES AND ULCERS
Why would I want to talk about Houseflies? Nellie, my red, Dobbie - mix sister, loves to chase them. She is so funny. She doesn't pay any attention to where she is going and sometimes bumps into things tumbling over. But now after finding out that houseflies might be the culprit behind another illness - just one more reason to keep them out of the house, yard, water/food bowls, etc...In the past, it was popular wisdom that stress was the main cause of ulcers. Today, scientists have identified the real culprit: a bacteria called H. pylori. Doctors aren't sure yet how the infection gets passed from one person to the other.
Researchers in Boston think flies may be partly to blame. After watching the movie, The Fly, it's easy to see why these ugly insects disgust so many people.
Dr. Peter Grubel hates flies, too; but he studies them in his Boston lab every day. He thinks flies carry and spread H. pylori, the bacteria known to cause ulcers in humans.
Peter Grubel, M.D., gastroenterologist, St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Brighton, Mass., "We were very surprised when we found that these bacteria can survive in the fly stomach like the human stomach." H. pylori infection is more common in third world countries where sanitation is a problem. Since flies are attracted to garbage and animal waste, Dr. Grubel began to suspect a link.
Peter Grubel, M.D., "Three billion people on earth have no decent toilet. So they release their fecal material in
the environment, which is a perfect spot for flies to take up bacteria like H. pylori."
When flies are exposed to H. pylori in the lab, they pick up the infection. And outside? Flies caught in the wild
can also carry the bacteria.
Peter Grubel, M.D., "Our preliminary data show that H. pylori is present in flies caught in the U.S. and Europe." Researchers still don't know whether H. pylori from a fly can directly infect a human. But since the invisible bacteria can live and thrive in the fly's stomach, it may be more important than ever to keep a fly swatter on hand.
About 15 percent of people infected with H. pylori end up with an ulcer. H. pylori has also been linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer.
Visit our adopt a pet link pages to find the right pet for you!
People and Pets a Healthy Relationship Elderly Benefit From Pet Ownership
Drug Costs Going to the Dogs? Pets And Children: A Lifelong Friendship
Guide Dogs doggone amazing ways Fitness Partners
Links to other Rescue and Shelter Resources
Know Your Personality... Find A Pet To Match It!
"Old Blue Eyes Ralph" Discarded Treasures
The Right Pet For You and Your Family
Going Away? Traveling? Can't Take "Fido" with you? Hire a Pet Sitter!
Submarine First Day Covers How To Control Your Cat's Hairballs
Pet Dental Care Removing Pet Stains Canine Vehicle Restraint
Puppy Training at Home Disabilities Resources/Information
Protect your pet in case of an emergency Paintings / Illustrations
Alabama
Arkansas
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC-Washington
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Iowa
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
M assachusetts
Maryland
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Mississippi
Montana
North Carolina
North Dakota
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
Nevada
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode
Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Vermont
Washington
West
Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming