Vincenzo Villanacci1, Giovanni Casella2, Francesco Lanzarotto3, Camillo Di Bella4, Angelo Sidoni5, Moris Cadei1, Tiziana Salviato6, Maria Pina Dore7, Gabrio Bassotti8. 1. a Pathology Section, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine , Spedali Civili and University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy. 2. c Department of Medicine , Desio Hospital, Monza and Brianza , Italy. 3. b Gastroenterology Section, 1st Medical Clinic, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy. 4. d Department of Clinical Pathology , Desio Hospital, Monza and Brianza , Italy. 5. e Pathology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine , University of Perugia School of Medicine , Perugia, Perugia , Italy. 6. f Pathology Institute, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Ospedali Riuniti di Trieste , Trieste , Italy. 7. g Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Sassari , Sassari , Italy. 8. h Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, Department of Medicine , University of Perugia School of Medicine , Perugia , Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is a gastric pathologic condition affecting the mucosa of the fundus and the body and eventually leading to hypo-achlorhydria. AIMS: We report our clinical and pathological experience with AIG. METHODS: Data from patients with a diagnosis of AIG seen in the period January 2002-December 2012 were retrieved. Only patients with complete sets of biopsies were analyzed. RESULTS: Data from 138 patients were available for analysis. Pernicious anemia was present in 25% of patients, iron deficiency anemia was found in 29.7% of patients, hypothyroidism in 23% of patients, type 1 diabetes in 7.9% of patients, and vitiligo in 2.8% of patients. Parietal cell antibodies were positive in 65% of patients, and no patient had serology positive for celiac disease. All gastric biopsies showed glandular atrophy associated with enterochromaffin-like (ECL)-cells hyperplasia, features limited to the mucosa of the fundus and body, and focal glandular intestinal metaplasia. Helicobacter pylori was negative in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: AIG was strongly associated with anemia; atrophy, intestinal metaplasia and ECL hyperplasia in the gastric fundus and body are hallmarks of this condition.
BACKGROUND:Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is a gastric pathologic condition affecting the mucosa of the fundus and the body and eventually leading to hypo-achlorhydria. AIMS: We report our clinical and pathological experience with AIG. METHODS: Data from patients with a diagnosis of AIG seen in the period January 2002-December 2012 were retrieved. Only patients with complete sets of biopsies were analyzed. RESULTS: Data from 138 patients were available for analysis. Pernicious anemia was present in 25% of patients, iron deficiency anemia was found in 29.7% of patients, hypothyroidism in 23% of patients, type 1 diabetes in 7.9% of patients, and vitiligo in 2.8% of patients. Parietal cell antibodies were positive in 65% of patients, and no patient had serology positive for celiac disease. All gastric biopsies showed glandular atrophy associated with enterochromaffin-like (ECL)-cells hyperplasia, features limited to the mucosa of the fundus and body, and focal glandular intestinal metaplasia. Helicobacter pylori was negative in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: AIG was strongly associated with anemia; atrophy, intestinal metaplasia and ECL hyperplasia in the gastric fundus and body are hallmarks of this condition.