RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between apoptosis-related proteins in gastric mucosa, p53 and Bax, and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>p53 and Bax expression in gastric mucosa were measured using immunohistochemical technique in 33 children with gastric mucosal lesions. Presence/absence of H. pylori infection was detected by the rapid urease and pathological tests.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifteen children (88%) showed positive expression of p53 in 17 children who were confirmed with H. pylori infection, compared with 9 (56%) in 16 H. pylori negative children. Thirteen children (76%) showed positive expression of Bax in the 17 children with H. pylori infection, compared with 6 (38%) in the 16 H. pylori negative children. The expression levels of p53 and Bax in the H. pylori positive group were significantly higher than those in the H. pylori negative group (p<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>H. pylori infection is associated with the over-expression of p53 and Bax proteins in gastric mucosa in children.</p>