Relation between gallbladder neoplasm and Helicobacter hepaticus infection

The main objective of this study was to see the various histopathological changes in the gallbladder with cholelithiasis and to correlate them with Helicobacter hepaticus infection.

A total of 380 cholecystectomy specimens were received during a study period from 2058/11/29 to 2059/11/4 at Department of Pathology, TU Teaching Hospital, Institute of Medicine.

Among 380 cases, 249 (65.53%) were found to have chronic cholecystitis, 52 (13.68%) cholesterolosis, 29 (7.63%) adenomyosis, 20 (5.26%) metaplasia, 15 (3.95%) low grade dysplasia, 10(2.63%) malignancy, 4(1.05%) xanthogranulomatous change and 1(0.26%) carcinoma in situ. Out of these, 100 cases that were willing to provide gallbladder for study were taken as a study group. Sections were stained with Haematoxylin & Eosin for microscopic features and with Warthin Starry Silver stain for Helicobacter hepaticus. Among the study group, 43% cases were found to have chronic cholecystitis, 17% adenomyosis, 13% cholesterolosis, 9% low grade dysplasia, 9% metaplasia, 7% malignancy, 1% carcinoma in situ and 1% xanthogranulomatous change. All the malignant cases were found to be Adenocarcinoma. Out of total 100 cases, 82% cases were found to have Helicobacter hepaticus infection. Only one out of 7 malignant cases (14.29%) was found to be negative for Helicobacter Hepaticus infection. Gallbladder neoplasm was found to be common in Nepal comprising 2.63%. Helicobacter hepaticus infection was found in 82% of gallbladders and it was found in 87.5% of malignant cases. Whether Helicobacter hepaticus that might be the number one cause for the gallstone formation that ultimately leads to malignancy or itself acts as a risk factor for the pathogenesis of carcinoma gallbladder is yet to be determined.