title: The growth of primary low-grade B-cell gastric lymphoma is sustained by Helicobacter pylori.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The growth of primary low-grade B-cell gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is an antigen-dependent process
  
  
  METHODS
  We were able to document the influence of Helicobacter pylori on the natural history of primary low-grade B-cell gastric MALT lymphoma in a case investigated by means of polymerase chain reaction for IgH rearrangement. In this case the presence or absence of the bacterium appeared to affect both clinical manifestations and histologic features of the neoplasia, with an acceleration or a slowing down of the neoplastic expansion, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We identified H. pylori as an antigenic stimulus that supports the growth of MALT-type lymphoma. This finding enables us to make some considerations about the management of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Catholic University, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Policlinico A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cammarota
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tursi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papa
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Voso
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chiusolo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fedeli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gasbarrini
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013270:Stomach / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial