Campylobacter pylori infection in patients undergoing endoscopy in Fiji

Forty two patients (20 Fijian and 22 Indian) presenting for endoscopy at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, Fiji, were biopsied to detect Campylobacter pylori infection. Detection of the organism's urease activity in biopsy material or seeing the organism in Warthin-Starry silver stained histology sections were used to diagnose infection. Thirty-nine patients (93%) were infected; 19 of 20 Fijians (95%) and 20 of 22 Indians (91%). Of the 39 infected patients, 37 (95%) had chronic active gastritis and 24 (62%) had active peptic ulcer disease. The implications of these findings in relation to the management of endoscopy patients in Fiji are discussed.