Abstract

Background
/Aims: Infection with Helicobacter pylori is the most important cause of chronic active gastritis. One means of evolution of chronic active gastritis is the development of atrophic gastritis, a condition almost universally associated with extensive intestinal metaplasia. But Helicobacter pylori is not usually found in areas of intestinal metaplasia. Recently Genta RM developed a staining technique that allows simultaneous visualization of Helicobacter pylori and gastric morphology, including intestinal metaplasia. Therefore, the evaluation of the frequency of Helicobacter pylori adherence to intestinal metaplasia using the Genta stain is herein reported. Methods: The study was conducted on 69 gastric biopsy specimens with intestinal metaplasia. Slides from each specimen were stained using the Genta stain to identify the adherence of bacteria and types of intestinal metaplasia. Results: In 56 (81%) of 69 patients, incomplete intestinal metaplasia was found. In 9 (16%) of 56 patients with incomplete intestinal metaplasia, H. pylori was attached in the area of intestinal metaplasia. But in all of the intestinal metaplasia, H. pylori was not attached in the area of the intestinal metaplasia Conclusions: The common subtype of intestinal metaplasia was incomplete metaplasia. Although in small cases, H. pylori was attached only to the area of the incomplete type of intestinal metaplasia. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2000;20:1~ 5)

• Keywords: Incomplete intestinal metaplasia, Helicobacter pylori, Genta stain