RESUMO
Role of H.pylori in chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric carcinoma and malignant lymphoma of gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALToma) is well established. However its role in gall bladder diseases is still not clear. The aim of this study is to find the prevalence of H.pylori in patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis and to assess its role in various morphological changes in gall bladders of the patients with chronic cholecystitis. Our study comprised of 150 patients operated for chronic cholecystitis with cholelithiasis , with100 patients giving consent for gastric biopsies. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the presence and absence of H.pylori in gall bladder mucosa respectively. Histopathological changes were then assessed in both the groups and findings were analysed statistically. On comparing the morphological changes in gall bladders of patients in both groups, statistically significant difference were seen in mucosal hyperplasia (P=0.01926), mucosal metaplasia (P=0.01890) and in lymphocytic infiltrate (P=0.0307). Concomitant presence of H.pylori in gastric and gallbladder mucosa also showed positive correlation. As these lesions are believed to be key factor for the progress of numerous cancers, so the presence of H.pylori may be considered as potential risk factor for gallbladder cancers.