ABSTRACT
In a seven months period upper gastro-endoscopy was performed on 200 consecutive patients referred to Fujeirah hospital; 22 of whom had duodenal ulcer. Brush smears of the gastric mucosa revealed Helicobacter pylori in 164 samples [82%]. Treatment with amoxycillin eradicated the bacteria in all patients; however, it reemerged at the endoscopic examination performed 4 weeks after therapy. In the group on H2 receptor antagonists only 25% of patients showed eradication of bacteria which reemerged at the second endoscopic examination. Antacids did not have any effect on the eradication of the bacteria. Biopsy at sigmoidoscopy revealed no organisims. Helicobacter pylori is present in a significantly large number of people in the UAE with dyspepsic symptoms. Recolonization is common after eradication. A causal relationship though difficult to prove is suggested