Campylobacter pylori-associated gastritis and immune response in a population at increased risk of gastric carcinoma.

A series of 169 consecutive patients from low socioeconomic strata attending the gastroenterology clinic of Charity Hospital in New Orleans were evaluated clinically and endoscopically. This general New Orleans population is known to be at increased risk of developing gastric carcinoma. The type of gastritis was identified histologically, and the presence of Campylobacter pylori was determined by culture and/or histology.

Ultrastructure of the gastric mucosa harboring Campylobacter-like organisms.

The association between Campylobacter-like organisms (CLOs) and lesions of the gastric mucosa was studied in 59 consecutive biopsies. Hematoxylin and eosin and Warthin-Starry silver stains, as well as high-resolution light microscopy (HRLM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were used. The organisms were found in intimate contact with foveolar cells showing abundant phagolysosomes and alterations of the intercellular complexes.