Electron microscopic evaluation of adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to the gastric epithelial cells in chronic gastritis.
BACKGROUND
The adhesion of H. pylori to the gastric epithelial cells may be an essential step for the pathophysiology of various H. pylori-induced gastrointestinal diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural relation of H. pylori and gastric epithelial cells in their adhesion.


METHODS
Endoscopic biopsy of gastric antrum and body was performed from 15 patients (9 men, 6 women) with chronic gastritis and H. pylori infection. The specimens were processed for electron microscopy and observed with a transmission electron microscope (Hitachi H-600).


RESULTS
On the basis of morphological appearances, the adhesions of H. pylori to the gastric epithelial cells were categorized into three types; filamentous connection, adhesion pedestals and membrane fusion. Coccoid and undetermined forms adhered mainly by the filamentous connection, whereas the bacillary forms adhered primarily by the adhesion pedestals and membrane fusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Various types of adhesion were associated with H. pylori and gastric epithelium. Further studies are needed to evaluate the influence of different types of adhesion to the pathophysiology of H. pylori.
Chun
Hoon Jai
HJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Park
Dong Kyu
DK
Park
Chul Hee
CH
Park
Jae Hong
JH
Jeen
Yoon Tae
YT
Um
Soon Ho
SH
Lee
Sang Wo
SW
Choi
Jai Hyun
JH
Kim
Chang Duck
CD
Ryu
Ho Sang
HS
Hyun
Jin Hai
JH
Chae
Yang Seok
YS
Uhm
Chang Sub
CS
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D013270:Stomach / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology