Low-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus: A problematic diagnosis.

Although low-grade dysplasia (LGD) in Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a histopathological diagnosis based on different histological abnormalities, it is still problematic for different reasons. Patients without confirmed diagnosis of LGD undergo unnecessary and intensified follow-up where the risk of progression is low in the majority of cases. In contrast, the presence of confirmed LGD indicates a high risk of progression.

[Why is it important to detect atrophic gastritis and gastric intestinal metaplasia? What is the proper way to do it?].

Gastric intestinal metaplasia and atrophic gastritis are a known precancerous condition (PCC) of the stomach, meaning that patients with PCC are at risk for gastric cancer and so, diagnosis and risk categorization for these patients is relevant. The aim of this review is to provide an update regarding the problem, diagnosis, and management of PCCs with an emphasis on the role of appropriate endoscopic detection.

[Role of Helicobacter pylori coccoid forms in infection and recrudescence].

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral Gram-negative bacillus, which colonizes the human stomach and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of a number of gastroduodenal diseases. However, when expose to environmental stressed conditions, such as increased oxygen tension, extended incubation and exposure to antibiotics, Helicobacter pylori is able to entering the viable but nonculturable state, in which the bacterium modifies its morphology from a spiral to coccoid form, as a manifestation of cell adaptation to these adverse conditions. In gastric tissues, viable coccoid forms may remain latent for long time and retain virulence factors, so these forms possibly contribute to the treatment failures and recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection and gastroduodenal diseases as well.