[Campylobacter pyloridis in duodenal ulcer]

A morphologic study of antral gastric and duodenal mucosa was carried out in patients with duodenal ulcers. Peptic ulcers were in the phase of exacerbation in 55 patients, and that of remission, in 10. Campylobacter pyloridis (CP) were detected in 83% of the cases by histologic investigation of gastric and duodenal mucosa biopsy specimens obtained from patients with duodenal ulcers. CP were more common and numerous during exacerbation rather than remission of peptic ulcers. Bacterial dissemination in gastric and duodenal mucosa was greater in patients with a long history of ulcers, which might possibly indicate pathogenetic involvement of CP in ulcerogenesis. CP are recovered more commonly in individuals with normal or reduced gastric juice acidity as compared to those showing hypersecretion. Although conventional antiulcer treatment reduces CP dissemination, the bacteria are not eliminated in most cases, which might be a cause of peptic ulcer relapses.