Association between Helicobacter pylori concentration and the combining frequency of histopathological findings in gastric biopsies specimens.
BACKGROUND
Helicobacter pylori is the most prevalent infectious agent worldwide. About 90% of patients with chronic gastritis are infected with this bacterium. Some studies have shown a association between the H. pylori concentration and the scores of gastritis activity and severity.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between H. pylori concentration and the combining frequency of findings on histopathological examination.


METHODS
Two hundred consecutive gastric endoscopic biopsies diagnosed as chronic gastritis were retrospectively investigated. The Warthin-Starry silver stain was used to study H. pylori and the following parameters were assessed (according to the Sydney system): 1. infiltration by polymorphonuclear cells in chorio and epithelium (activity) graded as mild, moderate and marked; 2. presence of lymphoid follicles; 3. presence of intestinal metaplasia; 4. presence of regenerative cell atypias, graded as mild, moderate and marked; and 5. H. pylori concentration on the mucous covering the foveolar epithelium.


RESULTS
The most frequent association was chronic gastritis and activity, regardless of H. pylori concentration. The association of five histopathological findings in the same biopsy has not occurred in the cases of higher concentration of H. pylori.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study has not revealed any association between H. pylori concentration and an increasing in the number of histopathological findings found in the gastric mucosa. Since referring to its presence is much more important than to its concentration.
Department of Pathology, Paulista West University - UNOESTE, Prudente, SP. patologia@unoeste.br
Gisele Alborghetti
GA
Nai
Ana Carolina Gomes
AC
Parizi
Ricardo Luís
RL
Barbosa
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005756:Gastritis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index