What process is primarily involved in the inflammation of the stomach during gastritis?

In the context of gastritis, inflammation of the stomach lining is primarily caused by infection, notably by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. This specific type of infection can lead to the development of inflammation as the body's immune response activates to fight off the invading bacteria.

The presence of H. pylori disrupts the mucosal barrier of the stomach, allowing gastric acid to irritate the stomach lining, which results in inflammation. The relationship between infection and subsequent inflammation is well established in medical literature, making it the most significant factor in the pathophysiology of gastritis.

While other factors like obstruction, allergy, or tumor growth can lead to gastrointestinal issues, they are not the primary drivers of gastritis-related inflammation. Obstruction often relates to mechanical blockages rather than inflammatory processes. Allergies typically provoke different immune responses and are not central to gastritis. Tumor growth may result in gastric discomfort but does not directly correspond to the inflammation seen in gastritis caused by infection. Thus, infection stands out as the main process involved in the inflammatory response characteristic of gastritis.