Clinical relevance of cagA and vacA and association with mucosal findings in Helicobacter pylori-infected individuals from Chennai, South India

Helicobacter pylori is associated with a spectrum of severe gastrointestinal conditions. In this study, an attempt was made to correlate endoscopic mucosal patterns with H. pylori infection and examine the pathogenic potential of the strains. Among the 147 dyspeptic individuals studied, 42.2% were H. pylori infected. Association of H. pylori with type 3 and 4 mucosal patterns (P = 0.001) and intestinal metaplasia (P = 0.012) was seen. vacA was associated with histological (P = 0.014) and endoscopy findings (P = 0.009). Association of mucosal patterns with H. pylori infection could be useful for clinicians to decide on the need for eradication therapy.

Pancreas divisum and choledochal cyst.

Pancreas divisum (PD) is the most common congenital variant of the pancreas, affecting 5% to 14% of the population. The ventral duct only drains the ventral pancreas through the major papilla, whereas the majority of the pancreas drains via the dorsal duct through the minor papilla. We report the case of a 21-year-old woman with recurrent acute pancreatitis who presented with the rare finding of choledochal cyst and pancreas divisum (PD). She underwent minor papilla sphincterotomy and pancreatic duct stenting. Comparable literature findings of PD and choledochal cyst are discussed with regard to the presented case.