Eosinophils and Mast Cells in Helicobacter Pylori Infected Gastric Mucosa.

Although Helicobacter pylori (HP) is frequently associated with chronic active gastritis and peptic ulcers, its exact pathogenic role or the pathomechanism is still unclear. Here, we describe a striking, statistically significant increase of eosinophils in HP infected gastric mucosa compared to HP negative gastritis with similar activity. In both cases, the mean number of the mast cells in the mucosa was comparable, although the individual values showed wide distribution. The source and role of eosinophilia in HP infected mucosa, the potential link between the degree of eosinophilia and the clinical progression, as well as between eosinophils and mast cells require further study.