[Active chronic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori]

Biopsies from fundal and pyloric regions of the stomach of 140 patients with histologic signs of active chronic gastritis (ACG) are studied. Two types of ACG are distinguished: associated with HP and HP-negative. Inflammatory reaction in the foveal epithelium and lamina propria of the mucous membrane is characteristic for the ACG of the former type. The latter is characterized by infiltration with polymorphonuclear leucocytes of the surface epithelium with its degenerative changes. In the course of treatment the reduction of the number of patients with pronounced stages of ACG is observed if bismuth preparations were used. The treatment with H2-blockers did not result in the alteration of inflammatory changes this confirming the link between HP persistence and active inflammation.