Analysis of antral biopsy specimens for evidence of acquired mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue in HIV1-seropositive and HIV1-negative patients.
BACKGROUND
There is conflicting evidence concerning the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori gastritis in HIV1-infected patients. Furthermore, a possible influence of immunodeficiency on the acquisition of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in the antral mucosa remains to be elucidated.


METHODS
Seventy-seven consecutive HIV1-infected patients (mean age, 40.2 years) were compared in a prospective study with 77 HIV1-negative age-matched patients, using immunohistochemical stainings.


RESULTS
In HIV1-infected patients the prevalence of H. pylori gastritis was lower and the inflammatory reaction less pronounced than in controls. Lymphoid follicles and intraepithelial B cells were significantly more often detected in HIV1-negative patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence of acquired MALT is only rarely found in HIV1-infected patients. These findings might contribute to the explanation of why low-grade gastric MALT lymphomas have not been reported in HIV1-infected patients so far.
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005756:Gastritis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D018023:HIV Seronegativity / Q000276:immunology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D015497:HIV-1; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D012698:Serologic Tests