TO evaluate the histopathologic features of gastric mucosa by Helicobacter pylori (HP), we reviewed 70 endoscopically biopsied chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. The results are as fonows. l. HP was detected in 923% (48/52) of active gastritis, 8l8% (9/l l) of peptic ulcer and l43% (1/7) of chronic gastritis. The prevalence of HP infection was significantly higher in active gastritis and peptic ulcer than chronic gastritis (P<0005). 2. The infiltration of intraepithelial neutrophil of the 58 HP-positive cases was significantly more than of the l2 HP-negative cases (P<0005). 3. The infiltration of neutrophil and chronic inflammatory cells in the lamina propria of the 58 HP positive cases were significantly more than of 12 HP-negative cases (P<0.005, P<0.01) 4. The gastric epithelium of 58 HP positive case showed characteristic degenerative change, such as epithelial pits (93.l%), irregular surface (84.4%), individua1 cell drop-out (46.5%) and microerosion (27.6%). The similiar changes were not seen in l2 HP-negative cases. In summary, HP is significantly correlated with inflammatory reaction of the gastric mucosa.
It is also significantly correlated with the epithelial degenerative changes that is considered to the precursor of peptic ulcer.