title: Electron microscopic evaluation of adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to the gastric epithelial cells in chronic gastritis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hoon Jai
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: Dong Kyu
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Chul Hee
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jae Hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yoon Tae
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Jeen
authors.forename: Soon Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Um
authors.forename: Sang Wo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jai Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Chang Duck
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ho Sang
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Jin Hai
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hyun
authors.forename: Yang Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Chang Sub
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Uhm
mesh_terms: 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