RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the distribution of Helicobacter pylori(HP), the relationship between HP colonization and gastritis scores graded according to the Sydney system, epithelial damage, and lymphoid follicles, and to assess the effect of eradication of HP infection on the different histological parameters. METHODS: Gastritis scores, epithelial damage, and lymphoid follicles were assessed in gastric antral, body, and fundic biopsy specimens before and 4 weeks after antiHP triple therapy in 32 patients with HP-related gastritis. RESULTS: The mean initial scores of all histological parameters were higher in the antrum compared with the body and fundus. A significant, positive correlation was noted between HP score and the score for inflammation, for activity, and for mucus depletion. After eradication of HP infection, significant improvement in activity, chronic inflammation, and mucus depletion was detected in responders with a successful HP eradication ; the activity return to normal in follow-up, and chronic inflammation and mucus depletion was decreased significally in severity in responders(p<0.05). No significant reduction in severity of gastritis and mucus depletion was detected in the non-responders with persistent HP infection following anti-HP triple therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The eradication of HP results in a rapid, significant histopathological improvement in the gastritis scores and epithelial damage in gastric mucosa.