Is the local acid output an important factor for Helicobacter pylori colonization?
OBJECTIVE
Low local acid production is considered to be an important factor for Helicobacter pylori colonization. The increased bacterial density and inflammation are expected in cardiac mucosa because of low acid secretion. We aimed to investigate the bacterial density and the histologic pattern of gastritis in the cardia, and to compare with those of the antrum and corpus.


METHODS
The biopsy specimens taken from the antrum, corpus and cardia in 97 patients during endoscopy were examined histopathologically.


RESULTS
The mean scores for bacterial density in the cardia, corpus and antrum were 1.32 +/- 0.35, 1.09 +/- 0.86, 1.42 +/- 0.97, respectively. Bacterial density of the cardia was significantly higher than that in corpus, but was similar to the antrum. The mean scores for the degree of gastritis in the cardia, corpus and antrum were 1.56 +/- 0.79, 1.64 +/- 0.75, 1.85 +/- 0.77, respectively. Gastritis was significantly more severe in the antrum than in the corpus and cardia. The activity scores of gastritis in the three regions were statistically similar.


CONCLUSIONS
Although bacterial density in the cardiac mucosa were found to be high, the degree of gastritis was low.
Nazligul
Y
Y
Department of Internal Medicine, Harran University School of Medicine, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
Uzunkoy
A
A
Ozardali
H I
HI
Bitiren
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002299:Cardia / Q000382:microbiology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005260:Female; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D005756:Gastritis / Q000382:microbiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000382:microbiology*