REVEALING THE FREQUENCY OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION IN GASTRIC LESIONS BIOPSIES BY HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY

Helicobacter pylori (HP) has recently been associated with gastritis, dysplasia and gastric neoplasms. The study was performed to see histopathological study of gastric biopsies with HP to evaluate different gastric lesions.

Objective: To determine the frequency of H. pylori in patients with gastric disorders and to see the frequency of different morphological changes in gastric biopsies associated with H. pylori infection.

Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration: In the Pathology department of Mayo Hospital, Lahore in Collaboration with Gastroenterology department for One year duration from May 2018 to May 2019.

Methods: The study was performed on 760 gastric biopsy specimens collected in the gastroenterology department. Biopsies were sent to pathology laboratory in containers filled with 10% buffered formalin. Tissues were processed in an automated tissue processor. Sections were stained with routine hematoxylin and eosin and Giemsa.

Results: Of 760 patients, 527 (69%) were positive for H. pylori and 233 (31%) were negative for H. pylori. Gastric lesions were more common in males 337/589: 57%, 252/589: 43% compared to women, a significant difference (p = 0.000). In men, gastric complaints and dyspeptic symptoms were seen before females (mean age 38.11 ± 16.66 years and 35.81 ± 14.19 years), and a positive relationship with patient age (p <0.05: 95% confidence interval). Histological examination of 760 gastric biopsies revealed acute and chronic gastritis in 89.5% of the patients. A significant number of gastric lesions, ie, intestinal metaplasia (p = 0.01), lymphoid follicle formation (p = 0.059), but dysplasia (15/527, 2.8%) were observed in patients with PD, and non-significant malignancy in patients infected with HP (16 / 527: 3%). However, gastritis and gastric atrophy were observed in both gastritis.

Conclusion: Significant gastric lesions were observed in HP positive biopsies compared with HP-free gastritis, but dysplasias and malignancies were not significantly associated with HP biopsies versus HP negative biopsies.

Key words: Helicobacter pylori, glandular atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, lymphoma, malignancy.