title: Role of Helicobacter pylori in conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue is the conjunctival equivalent to mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma has been shown to be associated with Helicobacter pylori. In this study, the prevalence and possible role of H. pylori infection in conjunctival MALT lymphoma were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective noncomparative case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen cases of conjunctival MALT lymphoma were investigated. Five samples of conjunctival lymphoid hyperplasia and 20 biopsies of normal conjunctiva served as controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  The specimens were investigated for the presence of H. pylori with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. For each case of conjunctival MALT lymphoma, information regarding gender, age at presentation, conjunctival localization, and information of generalized MALT lymphoma were collected.
  
  
  METHODS
  Detection of H. pylori and patient characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 13 conjunctival MALT lymphomas originated from 8 women and 5 men with an average age of 62 years (range, 25-87). Only 1 patient had evidence of systemic MALT lymphoma. H. pylori could not be identified in any of the conjunctival MALT lymphomas, in conjunctival lymphoid hyperplasia, or in normal conjunctival biopsies using IHC and PCR techniques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An association between H. pylori and localized conjunctival MALT lymphoma could not be verified. Antigens other than H. pylori may take part in the development of conjunctival MALT lymphoma.
authors.affiliation: Eye Pathology Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. nicolai.sjo@eyedoctor.dk
authors.forename: Nicolai C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Sjö
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Foegh
authors.forename: Birgitte R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Juhl
authors.forename: Hans-Olof
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Jan U
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Prause
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ralfkiaer
authors.forename: Torkel
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wadström
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heegaard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D018442:Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial