早期胃癌和进展期胃癌患者幽门螺杆菌感染与胃黏膜组织学特点的关系

背景幽门螺杆菌(H.pylori)感染已被确认为慢性胃炎的主要病因,由慢性非萎缩性胃炎、慢性萎缩性胃炎至肠化生,经过数十年最终可能导致胃癌发生。目的评价H.pylori感染与胃镜检查正常者、慢性胃炎、早期胃癌和进展期胃癌患者胃黏膜组织学特点的关系。方法在受检者胃窦大弯侧、胃体大弯侧和胃角处各取一块黏膜活检标本,以Giemsa染色和免疫组化染色检测H.pylori感染情况;以HE染色评价胃黏膜炎症、活动性、萎缩和肠化生情况。结果慢性胃炎、早期胃癌和进展期胃癌患者的总体H.pylori感染率均显著高于胃镜检查正常者(52.4%、52.4%和81.2%对44.9%,P<0.05),慢性胃炎与早期胃癌患者的感染率无显著差异,但均显著低于进展期胃癌患者(P<0.05)。胃镜检查正常和慢性胃炎组H.pylori感染者的胃黏膜炎症、活动性、萎缩和肠化生检出率均显著高于无感染者(P<0.05);早期胃癌和进展期胃癌组H.pylori感染者的炎症活动性检出率显著高于无感染者(P<0.05),而炎症、萎缩和肠化生检出率与无感染者无显著差异。结论由H.pylori感染引起的胃黏膜慢性炎症、萎缩和肠化生可能在胃癌的发生、发展过程中起直接或间接作用。     

幽门螺杆菌感染对胃黏膜病理变化的影响

背景：幽门螺杆菌(H．pylori)感染已被公认为慢性胃炎和消化性溃疡的重要危险因素，根除H．pylori能加速消化性溃疡的愈合，但其对胃黏膜病理变化的影响尚有待进一步探索。目的：了解根除H．pylori对慢性胃炎胃黏膜病理变化和癌前状态的影响。方法：采用多中心随机对照临床试验和回顾性队列研究，样本选自胃癌高发区：上海郊区的金山区和奉贤区。共纳入360例经内镜检查证实有H．pylori感染的慢性胃炎伴或不伴十二指肠溃疡患者，随机分为两组。治疗组用三联疗法(质子泵抑制剂或Hz受体阻滞剂加两种抗生素)治疗，对照组单纯慢性胃炎患者予西沙必利、十二指肠溃疡患者予西米替丁治疗。在第1年和第4年末随访胃镜，根据H．pylori是否根除将患者分为两组：H．pylori阳性组和H．pylori阴性组。所有胃黏膜活检标本由两位病理科医师统一复读。结果：至第4年末，有120例患者完成全部随访，其中H．pylori持续根除组54例，阳转组5例；H．pylori持续未根除组45例，阴转组16例。持续根除组第1年随访时，活动性炎症比例减少(P＜O．05)；第4年随访时，慢性炎症和肠化程度以及活动性炎症比例减少(P＜O．05)。持续未根除组第1年随访时，慢性炎症程度增加(P＜O．05)；第4年随访时，慢性炎症和肠化程度以及活动性炎症比例增加(P＜O．05)，萎缩程度较第1年随访时增加(P＜O．05)。结论：根除H．pylori可以减轻慢性胃炎的炎症程度，防止肠化的发生和发展。     

幽门螺杆菌感染与胃不同部位组织学病变的关系

目的 明确幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylori,H,pylori)感染与胃不同部位粘膜组织学病变的关系。方法 在215例胃镜受检者胃窦、角、体三点取材进行组织学检查，Giemsa染色明确H.pylori感染情况，HE染色计量观察组织学病变情况，分析两者的相关关系。结果 从胃窦到胃角、胃体，炎症程度(单个核细胞浸润)、活动度(中性粒细胞浸润)、糜烂及淋巴滤泡形成均递减，H.pylori阳性者积分高于阴性者。在胃窦和胃角部，H.pylori感染更常引起近腔面上皮分泌下降，而在胃体部无此发现，H.pylori感染在三个部位均可引起腺体萎缩。结论 H.pylori感染是胃多部位组织学病变如淋巴细胞、中性粒细胞浸润、糜烂和淋巴滤泡形成与粘膜萎缩的病因，在胃窦和胃角引起的病变重于胃体。     

益生菌疗法根除不同分型H.pylori对胃泌素-17、胃蛋白酶原的影响

目的 探讨联合益生菌根除不同分型H.pylori对胃泌素-17(gastrin-17,G-17)、胃蛋白酶原(pepsinogen, PG)的影响。方法将116例H.pylori阳性慢性胃炎患者随机分为四联疗法组和联合益生菌疗法组,疗程均为2周。选取H.pylori阳性健康体检者100名作为健康对照组。对H.pylori抗体CagA、VacA、UreA和UreB进行血清学检测,并检测治疗前后血清中PGⅠ、PGⅡ、PGⅠ/Ⅱ比值(PGⅠ/PGⅡratio, PGR)及G-17水平。结果 四联疗法组、联合益生菌疗法组及健康对照组的H.pyloriⅠ型阳性率均高于H.pyloriⅡ型,且两治疗组H.pyloriⅠ型的阳性率明显高于健康对照组(P<0.05);三组CagA+VacA抗体阳性率均高于各组CagA、VacA抗体阳性率(P<0.05)。三组VacA、UreA、UreB抗体阳性率均高于各组CagA抗体阳性率(P<0.05)。不同炎症程度慢性胃炎CagA、UreB抗体的阳性率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);重度慢性胃炎与轻度慢性胃炎比较,VacA抗体阳性率显著...     

根据H. pylori培养药敏治疗H. pylori感染无效患者危险因素分析

背景目前我国幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacter pylori, H. pylori)感染率高达50%,而我国较高的抗生素耐药率是H. pylori根除失败的主要原因,因此H. pylori培养及药敏可优化抗生素选择,避免出现抗生素耐药情况.而基于药敏试验的四联根除治疗方案仍对部分患者无效,因此,本文旨在明确这部分患者临床特点及根除失败危险因素.目的了解根据H. pylori培养药敏治疗H. pylori感染无效患者的临床特点及危险因素.方法共收集320位H. pylori培养及C14呼气试验皆阳性患者,根据药敏试验结果予以基于敏感抗生素的四联抗H. pylori治疗,通过收集患者年龄,性别,城市/农村, C14呼气试验结果,有无溃疡,有无非甾体抗炎药(nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, NSAIDs)用药史,有无胃癌家族史,有无高血压病、糖尿病、脂肪肝病史、是否吸烟、饮酒,病理有无萎缩、肠化、VacA/CagA、H. pylori定植部位相关信息,比较根除成功组与失败组临床特点,并分析其危险因素.结果两组患者在年龄、性别、户籍、胃癌家族史、高血压病、糖尿病、脂肪肝、饮酒、吸烟、肠化、NSAID用药史方面无明显统计学差异.而H. pylori根除失败组患者的C14呼气试验DMP值400、萎缩情况、合并消化性溃疡以及胃体定值于胃体数高于根除成功组,差异有统计学意义,其中DMP值400,H. pylori定值于胃体为独立危险因素.结论 C14呼气试验DMP值400、H. pylori定值于胃体、存在萎缩、合并消化性溃疡的患者H. pylori根除质量效果欠佳,其中DMP值400, H. pylori定值于胃体为独立危险因素.     

环氧合酶-2表达与幽门螺杆菌相关性胃十二指肠疾病的研究

目的　探讨环氧合酶 2表达与幽门螺杆菌Helicobacterpylori ,H .pylori相关性胃十二指肠疾病的关系 ,并通过抗菌治疗评价根除H pylori感染对胃窦黏膜中COX 2表达的影响。方法　用免疫组化方法半定量检测 2 64例经胃镜和组织病理学检查患有十二指肠球部溃疡、胃溃疡、复合性溃疡、胃癌、单纯性慢性胃炎及胃黏膜正常者的胃窦黏膜COX 2蛋白的表达 ,比较H pylori感染与非感染者之间的差异。对检出的 3 5例H pylori的单纯慢性胃炎进行H pylori抗菌根除治疗 ,比较根除前后胃窦黏膜COX 2蛋白的表达变化。根据 2 0 0 0年 5月全国慢性胃炎研讨会共识意见 (江西 井冈山 )对胃黏膜炎症、活动性、异型增生、肠化生和H pylori密 ,度进行半定量测定。结果　胃黏膜表面上皮、腺上皮细胞和固有层间质细胞的浆中可见COX 2蛋白表达 ,但阳性染色细胞多集中在表层上皮。 2 53例中 ,14 3例H pylori者 (56 52 % )COX 2平均阳性细胞率显著高于 110例H pylori者 (43 48% ) ,(P =0 ) ,各疾病组H pylori患者的COX 2平均阳性细胞率均显著高于H pylori者 (P =0 ) ,各疾病组H pylori患者COX 2平均阳性细胞率也均显著高于正常对照组 (P <0 0 5)。 2 7例H pylori根除后的胃黏膜COX 2平均阳性细胞率明显下降 (P =0 ) ,但仍明显高于正     

幽门螺杆菌感染与胃窦炎症病理变化的关系

目的 明确幽门螺杆菌感染（H.pylori)与胃窦炎症病理变化的关系。方法 通过胃镜活检取得胃窦组织标本，在快速尿素酶试验阳性和甲苯胺蓝染色中等阳性的病人中筛检出128例患者，其中包括慢性浅表性胃炎（CG）患者68例，十二指肠球部溃疡（DU）患者30例，胃溃疡（GU）患者30例，对患者的血清进行免疫印迹试验，检测患者的细胞毒素相关蛋白A（CagA)、空泡毒素相关蛋白A（VacA)抗体的情况。结果 胃窦炎症积分在CG、DU、GU患者胃窦炎症均表现为活动性，但是没有明显差异；CagA在所有病例中具有普遍易感性。在GU中出现8例胃窦萎缩，其中4例表现为CagA和VacA均阳性。在DU中未见胃窦萎缩。结论 H pylori相关性胃病中胃窦炎症多表现为活动性，但是没有明显差异。CagA在所有病例中具有普遍易感性，胃窦萎缩多出现在GU患者中并与CagA和VacA均阳性相关。     

根除幽门螺杆菌对胃黏膜病变的影响

幽门螺杆菌（H.pylori）被认为是导致胃黏膜病变的重要因子，根除H.pylori能使胃黏膜病变改善。目的：观察根除H.pylori对胃黏膜病变的影响。方法：予100例经胃镜和组织病理学检查确诊为萎缩性胃炎伴H．pylori感染患者抗H.pylori治疗，1年后复查胃镜和组织病理学，评定组织学变化。结果：所有患者均有不同程度的活动性炎症和慢性炎症。抗H.pylori治疗后，86例被根除。与根除前相比，根除后慢性炎症、活动性炎症、腺体萎缩程度评分均明显下降（P〈0．01），肠化生评分无显著改善。结论：根除H.pylori对胃黏膜病变具有临床治疗意义。     

胃黏膜癌前病变中p53、p21^ras蛋白表达与幽门螺杆菌感染的关系

目的观察幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacterpylori)感染及根除H.pylori二年后p53、p21ras在二组胃黏膜上皮细胞的表达,探讨H.pylori在胃癌发生、发展中的作用.方法应用免疫组织化学染色、尿素酶快速试验(RUT)、组织学Warthin-Starry染色.198例H.pylori感染患者,慢性胃炎86例,慢性胃炎伴肠化生67例,慢性胃炎伴异型增生45例;对照组为根除H.pylori 2年后共86例,其中慢性胃炎54例,慢性胃炎伴肠化生32例,慢性胃炎伴异型增生10例.全部病例做p53、p21ras免疫组织化学染色.结果 H.pylori感染组p53、p21 ras 阳性表达率15.7%、18.7%,明显高于H.pylori根除组2.3%、7%,差异显著(P＜0.05);慢性胃炎伴肠化病变中,p53、p21ras在H.pylori感染组阳性表达率17.9%、18.4%均高于H.pylori根除组0%、9.4%,差异显著(P＜0.05)慢性胃炎伴异型增生病变中,p53、p21 ras在H.pylori感染组阳性表达率31.1%、40%均高于H.pylori根除组20%、30.4%,差异显著(P＜0.05);H.pylori 感染组p53、p21ras在慢性胃炎,肠化生,异型增生表达水平依次增高p53、p21ras共同表达阳性37例.结论在胃黏膜癌前病变中p53、p21ras 在H.pylori感染组阳性表达率高于H.pylori根除组,差异显著(P＜0.05);在慢性胃炎,肠化生,异型增生p53、p21ras表达水平在增高;p53、p21 ras表达呈正相关;H.pylori感染在胃癌发生、发展过程中起一定作用,p53、p21ras表达可能是H.pylori致癌的作用机理之一.     

幽门螺杆菌感染对胃上皮细胞凋亡影响的实验研究

目的在H.pylori长期感染蒙古沙土鼠腺胃模型基础上,探讨H.pylori感染诱致胃癌发生的可能机制.方法采用H.pylori国际标准菌株NCTCli637灌喂蒙古沙土鼠,建立H.pylori长期感染动物模型:用末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的dUTP切口末端标记法(TUNEL)及原位杂交方法检测H.pyiori感染致胃粘膜上皮细胞凋亡的变化。结果成功建立了H.pylori长期感染蒙古沙土鼠腺胃模型,其胃粘膜的组织学变化显示,H.pylori感染可致正常胃粘膜→慢性胃炎→萎缩→肠化生→异型增生的发展过程。H.pylori感染对胃上皮细胞凋亡的影响:接种H.pylori后25周内能引起胃窦粘膜上皮细胞凋亡增加(P<0.05),H.pylori感染45周时,与25周时相比,胃窦粘膜上皮细胞凋亡指数呈逐渐递减的趋势,65周时甚至明显低于正常值(P<0.05):FAS及FASL原位杂交检测结果显示随着H.pylori感染时间的延长,炎症及病变程度的加重,FAS及FASL mRNA的阳性信号表达有逐渐增加的趋势(R<0.05)。结论 H.pylori走植致胃窦粘膜上皮细胞凋亡的异常,对正常胃窦粘膜向不典型增生进展的过程起重要作用;FAS和FASL在mtLNA水平的异常表达可能是H.pylori定植致胃窦粘膜上皮细胞凋亡异常的重要原因.     

Relevance of VacA and mucosal pathological changes in Chinese patients with upper gastrointestinal diseases before and after Helicobacter pylori eradication

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of VacA activity on gastric mucosa prior to and after Helicobacter pylori eradication in Chinese patients with peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis. METHODS: Seventy‐four dyspeptic patients with H. pylori infection were enrolled. The status of H. pylori infection was evaluated by culture and histo­pathology before and 4?6 weeks after H. pylori eradication therapy. Histological specimens were examined and graded semiquantitatively according to the updated Sydney classification. RESULTS: Helicobacter pylori with VacA was found in 59 of 74 patients (80%), and its prevalence in patients with peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis was similar. Helicobacter pylori eradication rates in patients with VacA⁺ and VacA^? strains were similar. Before eradication, the degrees of acute or chronic inflammation, epithelial damage, atrophy, intestinal metaplasia (IM) and the number of lymphoid follicles were similar in patients with VacA⁺ and VacA^?H. pylori. Four to 6 weeks after the eradication of H. pylori infection, the degrees of acute and chronic inflammation, and epithelial damage in the antrum decreased significantly, particularly in patients with VacA⁺H. pylori (P < 0.0001). The number of lymphoid follicles in the antrum also decreased more in patients with VacA⁺H. pylori than in those with VacA^?H. pylori (P= 0.051). However, there was no difference in the extent of atrophy and IM between these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: There is no specific correlation between VacA⁺/VacA^?H. pylori strains and mucosal clinicopathological features in Chinese patients with upper gastrointestinal diseases before and after eradication therapy. Successful eradication of H. pylori infection does not improve atrophic and IM lesions of the gastric mucosa.     

Pre and post eradication gastric inflammation in Helicobacter pylori-associated duodenal ulcer.

BACKGROUND: Distribution and nature of gastritis are major determinants of clinical outcome of H. pylori infection. The gastric inflammatory changes associated with this infection in developing countries have not been systematically studied. AIMS: To evaluate the inflammatory changes in gastric antrum and corpus in patients with duodenal ulcer and H. pylori infection, before and after H. pylori eradication therapy. METHODS: Histology and H. pylori density were studied in gastric biopsies obtained from 53 consecutive patients with active duodenal ulcer and H. pylori infection. Biopsies were obtained before and 4 weeks after H. pylori eradication therapy, from the anterior and posterior walls of the antrum and corpus, and were evaluated according to the Sydney system. RESULTS: In the pre-H. py/ori eradication antral biopsies, chronic gastritis, active gastritis, atrophy, intestinal metaplasia (IM) and lymphoid follicles / aggregates were seen in 53 (100%), 49 (92%), 11 (21%), 7 (13%) and 28 (53%) patients, respectively. In the corresponding biopsies from gastric corpus, these changes were seen in 49 (92%), 23 (43%), 2 (4%), 2 (4%) and 8 (15%), respectively. All changes except IM were significantly more frequent and of higher grade in the antrum. The grade of chronic gastritis was significantly higher in antrum than corpus; the frequency of gastritis in the antrum and corpus was similar (100% vs. 92%). H. pylori density was also higher in the antrum and correlated well with the grades of chronic gastritis and activity at both sites. Eradication of H. pylori was achieved in 39 patients (74%), and led to significant decrease in gastritis; no change was seen in patients who did not eradicate the organism. CONCLUSIONS: Antral-predominant chronic gastritis and activity are present in more than 90% of patients with H. pylori infection associated with duodenal ulcer, and the grade of gastritis correlates with the density of the organism. Eradication therapy results in improvement of both chronic gastritis and activity.     

根除幽门螺杆菌对胃窦黏膜萎缩和肠上皮化生逆转影响的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨根除幽门螺杆菌(Hp)对逆转胃窦黏膜萎缩和肠上皮化生(肠化生)病理改变的作用.方法 对行胃镜检查的门诊患者,于胃窦处取黏膜活检行病理学检查,并确定Hp感染状态.将Hp感染的慢性胃炎伴胃窦黏膜萎缩或(和)肠化生患者作为入选对象并分为两组,一组行Hp根除治疗,为Hp根除组(48例);另一组未行抗Hp治疗,为对照组(38例).分别在1年和5年后对两组患者进行胃镜随访,并在同一部位取材,根据2次病理结果的不同分为逆转和未逆转两种情况.结果 胃窦黏膜萎缩逆转率在Hp根除组显著高于对照组(37.1%比12.0%).5年后Hp根除组的胃窦黏膜萎缩逆转率显著高于1年后,45岁以下者显著高于45岁以上者.而在对照组中,胃窦黏膜萎缩逆转和随访的时间及年龄无明显关系.在2次随访中,肠化生逆转率在Hp根除组和对照组间差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 根除Hp尚不能逆转胃窦黏膜肠化生,但对逆转胃窦黏膜萎缩有作用,这种作用与随访观察时间及患者的年龄有关.因此,对有Hp感染的胃窦黏膜萎缩者应及早行根除Hp治疗.     

Characteristics of gastric cancer in peptic ulcer patients with Helicobacter pylori infection

AIM:To evaluate the incidence and clinical characteristics of gastric cancer(GC) in peptic ulcer patients with Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) infection.METHODS:Between January 2003 and December 2013, the medical records of patients diagnosed with GC were retrospectively reviewed.Those with previous gastric ulcer(GU) and H.pylori infection were assigned to the Hp GU-GC group(n = 86) and those with previous duodenal ulcer(DU) disease and H.pylori infection were assigned to the Hp DUGC group(n = 35).The incidence rates of GC in the Hp GU-GC and Hp DU-GC groups were analyzed.Data on demographics(age, gender, peptic ulcer complications and cancer treatment), GC clinical characteristics [location, pathological diagnosis, differentiation, T stage, Lauren's classification, atrophy of surrounding mucosa and intestinal metaplasia(IM)], outcome of eradication therapy for H.pylori infection, esophagogastroduodenoscopy number and the duration until GC onset were reviewed.Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors influencing GC development.The relative risk of GC was evaluated using a Cox proportional hazards model.RESULTS:The incidence rates of GC were 3.60%(86/2387) in the Hp GU-GC group and 1.66%(35/2098) in the Hp DU-GC group.The annual incidence was 0.41% in the Hp GU-GC group and 0.11% in the Hp DUGC group.The rates of moderate-to-severe atrophy of the surrounding mucosa and IM were higher in the Hp GU-GC group than in the Hp DU-GC group(86% vs 34.3%, respectively, and 61.6% vs 14.3%, respectively, P 0.05).In the univariate analysis, atrophy of surrounding mucosa, IM and eradication therapy for H.pylori infection were significantly associated with the development of GC(P 0.05).There was no significant difference in the prognosis of GC patients between the Hp GU-GC and Hp DU-GC groups(P = 0.347).The relative risk of GC development in the Hp GUGC group compared to that of the Hp DU-GC group,after correction for age and gender,was 1.71(95%CI:1.09-2.70;P=0.02).CONCLUSION:GU patients with H.pylori infection had higher GC incidence rates and relative risks.Atrophy of surrounding mucosa,IM and eradication therapy were associated with GC.     

Helicobacter pylori eradication in the healing of atrophic gastritis: a one-year prospective study

OBJECTIVE: Whether gastric atrophy or intestinal metaplasia heals after successful treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is still a matter of controversy. The aim of this article was to clarify whether, after one year, H. pylori eradication is associated with healing in glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in the corpus and antrum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-two H. pylori-positive peptic ulcer patients with atrophic gastritis (panatrophy, antral or corpus predominant) participated in the baseline study, 1-year prospective follow-up data being available from 76 patients. Mean age was 58+/-12.6 years (mean+/-SD) and the male/female ratio 2/1. The patients participated in an H. pylori eradication study in which they randomly received active eradication therapy. Endoscopy was performed before H. pylori eradication therapy and after 8 and 52 weeks, with specimens examined according to the Sydney system. RESULTS: Of the 92 patients, 8 (9%) had panatrophy, 58 (63%) had antral- and 26 (28%) had corpus-predominant atrophic gastritis. After H. pylori eradication, the mean atrophy score declined in patients with antral-predominant atrophy from 1.5 (mean) to 0.7 (p<0.05), in corpus-predominant atrophy from 1.7 to 0.2 (p=NS) and in patients with panatrophy from 1.2 to 0.8 (p=NS). Atrophy healing was seen in 55% of antral-predominant atrophy patients who had successful H. pylori eradication.The mean antral atrophic score in one year declined in patients with duodenal ulcer (from 1.0 mean to 0.4) whereas it remained the same (1.3) in those with gastric ulcer (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Atrophy can diminish or even disappear, especially in the antrum, during a 1-year follow-up after eradication of infection. Atrophy progression seems milder in patients with duodenal ulcer than in patients with gastric ulcer.     

Is apoptosis in antral mucosa correlated with serum nitrite concentration in Japanese Helicobacter pylori‐infected patients?

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Helicobacter pylori infection in gastric mucosa is a form of chronic active gastritis that leads to expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in host macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Nitric oxide produced by these cells infiltrating the gastric mucosa could damage DNA. We correlated apoptosis in H. pylori-infected antral tissue from peptic ulcer patients with serum nitrate-plus-nitrite. METHODS: Biopsy specimens were obtained endoscopically from antrum and fundus in 17 peptic ulcer patients before and after H. pylori eradication. Tissue samples were subjected to rapid urease testing and histopathological scoring (updated Sydney system), as well as immunohistochemical detection of single-stranded DNA indicating apoptotic cells. Fasting serum samples were analyzed for combined nitrate and nitrite content. RESULTS: In all cases atrophy was absent to mild in antral mucosa and H. pylori was eradicated successfully. A strong positive correlation was present between apoptosis and both inflammation and activity scores in infected antral mucosa. A significant positive correlation also was noted between apoptosis and H. pylori density. Serum nitrite concentrations were decreased significantly by successful eradication of H. pylori, and showed a strong positive correlation with H. pylori density. Serum nitrite concentrations showed a significant positive correlation with numbers of single-stranded DNA-positive cells. CONCLUSIONS: High H. pylori density was associated with elevated serum nitrate-plus-nitrite (a marker of nitric oxide production in gastric mucosa). Increased apoptosis and abnormal gastric cell turnover are likely results.     

Surface hydrophobicity of gastric mucosa in Helicobacter pylori infection: effect of clearance and eradication.

Surface hydrophobicity of the gastric mucosa is reduced in peptic ulcer disease and Helicobacter pylori infection. This abnormality may be caused by H. pylori or may be an inherent defect. The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between H. pylori infection and mucosal hydrophobicity by examining the effect of eradication of the organism. H. pylori-positive patients with (n = 42) or without (n = 42) duodenal ulcer were randomized to receive ranitidine, bismuth, or bismuth plus antibiotics. Surface hydrophobicity of gastric mucosa was assessed by measurement of plateau-advancing contact angle. Measurements were performed at presentation, end of treatment, and 1 month later. Contact angle was unchanged after ranitidine (55 degrees vs. 56 degrees) but increased with bismuth (57 degrees-62 degrees; P < 0.05) and bismuth plus antibiotics (56 degrees-67 degrees; P < 0.0001). One month after treatment ended, contact angles in patients in whom H. pylori was not eradicated were not different from those before treatment (56 degrees vs. 56 degrees) but increased to a value similar to H. pylori-negative controls in patients in whom H. pylori was eradicated (56 degrees-69 degrees; P < 0.0001). It is concluded that reduced mucosal hydrophobicity in peptic ulcer disease is secondary to H. pylori infection and that this impaired mucosal defense provides a possible mechanism whereby H. pylori infection predisposes to acid/peptic digestion.     

Clinical relevance of Helicobacter pylori CagA-positive strains: gastroduodenal peptic lesions marker.

OBJECTIVES: peptic ulcer is characterized by its recurrent nature, which necessitates maintenance treatment in most patients. But this natural history can be changed in patients with peptic ulcer associated to Helicobacter pylori, as shown by the low rates of recurrence and decreased hemorrhagic recidivism associated with this infection. Whether CagA or VacA strains are associated with a greater risk of peptic ulcer is controversial. This study was designed to examine endoscopic findings and their relation with H. pylori phenotype (CagA or VacA). METHODS: 106 selected dyspeptic patients underwent upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopic examination between September 1996 and May 1997 [69 with H. pylori (Hp) and 37 without this infection]. Endoscopic findings were classified as gastric ulcer (GU), duodenal ulcer (DU), gastric erosions (GE), duodenitis (Du), chronic gastritis (CG) and normal mucosa (NM). Hp phenotype was analyzed with a western blot test. RESULTS: 75% of H. pylori strains were CagA-positive and 54.2% were VacA-positive. 82.4% of the cases of DU were associated with a CagA+ phenotype, but the association was not statistically significant. Otherwise 100% of gastric ulcers were associated with CagA+ strains (p < 0.005). VacA phenotype was not associated with any particular endoscopic finding. Peptic ulcer (DU or GU) was also associated with the CagA+ phenotype (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: the CagA+ H. pylori phenotype seems to be a peptic lesion marker, but was more frequently related with GU than with DU in our sample of Spanish patients.     

Gastritis caused by Helicobacter heilmannii (Gastrospirillum hominis). Report of 3 cases

Helicobacter heilmannii infection is rare. Its clinical picture is rather different from that caused by Helicobacter pylori: alterations in the gastric mucosa are milder and mainly located in the gastric antrum, and the frequency of erosions and ulcers is lower. It has been described in association with conditions similar to those related to H. pylori: peptic ulcer, chronic gastritis, gastric adenocarcinoma, intestinal metaplasia and MALT (mucose associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma, although the incidence is lower. We describe three cases of gastritis caused by H. heilmannii, which we consider to be of interest because of the absence of cases published in Spain. One of the cases is especially unusual because of its association with a duodenal ulcer. We also describe the main features of H.r heilmannii. Its clinical treatment is similar to that used in H. pylori, with demonstrated morphological improvement of the lesions after eradication of the infectious agent.