An easy method to identify parietal cells in gastric biopsies.
BACKGROUND
Sections from gastric biopsies are usually stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), a stain that is not optimal for the recognition of many parietal cells. This paper describes a more suitable routine stain to identify parietal cells.


METHODS
Nineteen sets of gastric biopsies were consecutively stained with H&E and with modified Giemsa. Giemsa-stained fundic biopsies showed a parietal cell band intercalated between the fovelar epithelium and the chief glands. The continuity of this band was studied at x4 magnification and its thickness in one well-oriented field at x10 magnification.


RESULTS
A distinct, continuous parietal cell band was recorded in fundic biopsies exhibiting normal mucosa, acute gastritis or chronic gastritis without glandular atrophy (Group A). A discontinuous or lack of parietal cell band was found in fundic biopsies exhibiting chronic gastritis with glandular atrophy or with intestinal metaplasia (Group B). The ratio of parietal cell band/total mucosal thickness ranged between 0.30 and 0.40 in Group A and between 0 and 0.25 in Group B.


CONCLUSIONS
A parietal cell band was readily demonstrated in sections from gastric biopsies stained with Giemsa, but not in those stained with H&E. Discontinuity with reduced or absent band was recorded in gastric diseases characterised by a decrease of the parietal cell population.
Rubio
Carlos A
CA
Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Karolinska Institute and University Hospital, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden. Carlos.Rubio@ki.se
D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D005756:Gastritis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D008679:Metaplasia / Q000473:pathology; D010295:Parietal Cells, Gastric / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology*; D012016:Reference Values; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology
D004396:Coloring Agents