[Helicobacter pylori gastric infection in symptomatic patients from São Luís Island, MA: endoscopic,...

With previously defined criteria of inclusion and previous consent, twenty six consecutive patients (19 to 64 years old), with upper digestive symptoms, were submitted to endoscopy, with biopsy, constant of eight samples of the antropyloric region (four of the anterior aspect and four of the posterior aspect). Two samples were been for culture; two for free urease test, two for smears; all gathered in adequate transport medium over refrigeration. Two samples immersed in formaline to 10% for histopathologic exam. 25/26 (96%) of the patients showed infection by H. pylori by means of one or more methods utilized. In 16/26 (61%), alterations were observed in endoscopy (gastric inflammation in eleven, peptic ulcer in two and ulcer scars in three cases). Of the patients with endoscopic gastric inflammation, presented positive as well as all (100%) bearers of scar or peptic ulcer. A close relationship was observed between the presence of H. pylori and chronic gastric inflammation 24/25 (96%). Histopathologic slices stained by hematoxilin-eosin was the test of highest diagnostic sensitivity 24/25 (96%), followed by urease test 23%25 (92%), stained smears 19/25 (76%) and culture 18/25 (72%). Our conclusion is that the prevalence of gastric infection for H. pylori in symptomatic patients is high, correlated with chronic gastric inflammation and ulcers. Histopathologic slices stained by hematoxilin-eosin and free urease test are the most sensitive indicators of the presence of H. pylori. This study should proceed for further elucidation of questions realised and include a control group of symptomatics individuals paired for sex and age.