Identification of helicobacter pylori infection in gastric biopsies: Prevalence and associated histopathology

Abstract

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection affects about 50% of the world population. It is considered as one of the most common chronic bacterial infection in human and a major concern today because of its relationships with gastrointestinal diseases. Aim and Objectives: The study was conducted with the aim to determine the prevalence of H. pylori in gastric mucosal biopsies, to correlate the findings with age and sex, to identify the various types of histopathological changes associated with H. pylori positive gastric mucosal lesions. Material and Methods: The retrospective study was conducted on 362 cases of gastric mucosal biopsy from January 2017 to December 2019. Histopathological examination of the gastric mucosal biopsies was done for presence of H. pylori and associated mucosal changes. The presence of H.pylori on haematoxylin and eosin was confirmed by giemsa stain. Result: A total number of 362 gastric biopsies were analysed. H. pylori were positive in 148 cases of gastric biopsies, which were seen predominantly in males (58.11%). H.pylori was more prevalent in antral mucosal biopsies with 92.57% than other sites. The prevalence of H.pylori was high in third to fourth decades (38.51%). Morphological feature commonly associated with the organism was lymphoid follicle and the common gastritis was chronic active gastritis. Conclusion: The study reveals that H. pylori infection was prevalent in 40.88 % of gastric mucosal biopsies. The presence of H. pylori was strongly associated with lymphoid follicles. Early identification and treatment for eradication of H.pylori is necessary to prevent gastric complications.