RESUMEN
The most important characteristics of Helicobacter pylori infection were studied in 96 patients submitted endoscopic examination at the University Hospital of the Federal Unlversity of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis southern Brazil. As diagnostic method of the infection we used the presence of Helicobacter pylori on histologic examination, stained by hematoxilin-eosin and Giemsa stains ("gold standard"), immunologic test (ELISA Roche), bacteriologic slide (Gram stained), and urease biopsy test. The rnedian age of the series was 44.6 years (range 14 to 84 years, SD = 18.1), with 56 (58.3 per cent) males. The prevalence of the infection was 78.1 per cent 75/96 and Helicobacter pylori infection was associated with gastritis in 96.6 per cent of the cases (68/75, p < O.0 1). Sixteen of 17 patients with peptic ulcer disease tested positive for the presence of Helicobacter pylori. The infection proportionally more prevalent in the older groups, and there was no statistical gender difference.