Histopathological evaluation of chronic gastritis with and without Helicobacter pylori colonization: a study from Iran.

Chronic gastritis is defined as the presence of chronic mucosal inflammatory changes leading eventually to mucosal atrophy and epithelial metaplasia. It is notable for distinct causal subgroups and for patterns of histological alterations that vary in different parts of the world. By far the most important aetiological association is chronic infection by the bacillus Helicobacter pylori (Hp). The organism is a worldwide pathogen that has the highest infection rates in developing countries including Iran. In this study, samples confirmed for the diagnosis of chronic gastritis from 100 Hp-positive and 36 Hp-negative patients, were reevaluated histopathologically to determine the severity of inflammation, the presence of active gastritis, lymphoid follicle(s), glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. Seventy-five percent of the samples showed mild inflammation, whilst moderate and severe inflammation was seen respectively in 24% and about 1% of the cases. Among the evaluated variables, only activity and intestinal metaplasia had statistically significant associations with Hp (p < 0.05) in this survey.