ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI (Hp) AND OF GASTRIC MUCOSA IN PATIENTS WITH GASTRIC ULCERS BEFORE AND AFTER HP ERADICATION

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the ultrastructural characteristics of Hp and of gastric mucosa (GM) in gastric ulcer (GU) patients before and after HP eradication.Materials & Methods13 cultural HP samples and 52 endoscopic biopsy specimens of GM taken from 26 GU patients before and one month after HP eradication by triple therapy (OAM) for electron microscopic examinations using negative staining, direct observation and ultrathin section methods. Analyzed by JEM 1010 transmission electron microscope.ResultsHp were spiral GR (‐) wall, curved or S‐shapes, size of 4x0.5‐1μm with 4‐7 slender flagella at one pole, attached on endoplasmic membrane of GM cells or slipped in the slits between cells. Some HP with many Phages in the cytoplasm. Main lesions of GM cells with Hp infection were reduction or loss of microvilli, rupture of cell membrane, degeneration with formation of vocuoles in the cytoplasm, degeneration or loss of the organelles (mitochondria, secretory granules, endoplasmic reticulla), widening of nucleus membrane holes and irregular distribution of chromatins in nuclei of the cells. After Hp eradication, recuperation of GM cells were clearly observed with reappearance of microvillion on cell membrane, abundance of secretory granules and organelles in the cytoplasm, double membrane of nuclei was clearly observed.Conclusions1) Ultrastructurally, Hp were Gr (‐), spiral curved or S‐shaped bacteria, size of 3‐4x0.5‐1mm with 4‐7 slender flagella at one pole. 2) main lesions of GM cells with HP infection included reduction or loss of microvilli, rupture of membrane, degenerations with formation of vacuoles in cytoplasm and degeneration or loss of the organelles, 3) After Hp eradication, recuperation of GM cells was obviously.