A Retrospective Experience of Helicobacter pylori Histology in a Large Sample of Subjects in Northern Italy

Abstract

Updated data about the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and its correlation with histological results are scarce. The aim of our study was to provide current data on the impact of H. pylori in a third-level endoscopy service. We performed a large, retrospective study analyzing the results of all histological samples of gastroscopy from the year 2019. In total, 1512 subjects were included. The prevalence of H. pylori was 16.8%. A significant difference between the prevalence in subjects born in Italy and those from eastern Europe, south America, or Africa was found (p < 0.0001, p = 0.006, and p = 0.0006, respectively). An association was found between H. pylori and active superficial gastritis (p < 0.0001). Current H. pylori and/or a previous finding of H. pylori was related to antral atrophy (p < 0.0001). Fifteen patients had low-grade dysplasia. There were no statistically significant associations with current or past H. pylori infection. One patient presented gastric cardia adenocarcinoma with regular gastric mucosa. One patient, H. pylori positive, was diagnosed with gastric signet ring cell adenocarcinoma in a setting of diffuse atrophy, without metaplasia.. Our study provides updated, solid (biopsy diagnosis and large population) data on the prevalence of H. pylori infection in a representative region of southern Europe.

Possible Association of Periodontal Diseases With Helicobacter pylori Gastric Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) is a gram-negative bacterium capable of producing one of the most common gastric bacterial infections in humans, affecting about half of the world's population and is the main cause of chronic gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer, and adenocarcinoma of the stomach ( 1 , 2 ). Despite treatment by systemic antibiotic therapy, certain patients have persistence of infection after treatment ( 3 ).…”