Correlation of Helicobacter pylori virulence genotype & severity of mucosal inflammation in gastric biopsies from two geographically diverse regions in India

Background: H. pylori-associated gastritis in patients from the high-altitude area of Ladakh showed severe gastritis, mucosal nodularity, atrophy, and cancer in comparison to those from North India. This study served to analyze if differences in the H. pylori virulence genotypes decide the extent of gastric mucosal inflammation. Methods: Fifty gastric biopsies each from patients with H. pylori-associated gastritis from Ladakh and a tertiary care center in North India were included. The presence of H. pylori strain was confirmed with Warthin starry stain and polymerase chain amplification of the H. pylori-specific 16S rRNA. The cagA, vacA s1, s2, and m1, m2 alleles, and dupA virulence genotypes were studied in all archival samples, followed by their histological correlations. Results: cagA (P 0.009) and vacAs1 m1 (P 0.009) genes were distinctly more in H. pylori strains colonizing the biopsies of North Indian patients. In contrast, the cagA -ve vacAs2 m2 strains were significantly more in H. pylori strain colonizing the biopsies from Ladakhi patients. dupA genotype was almost similarly present in strains from both regions. Among these, only cagA and dupA virulence genes were associated with severe mucosal neutrophilic activity and deep infiltration of H. pylori strains in North Indian patients. Conclusions: Differences in virulence genotypes of H. pylori in gastric biopsies from North Indian and Ladakhi patients were found not significant in deciding the severity of H. pylori-associated gastritis.

Clear cell sarcoma like tumor of gastrointestinal tract: Experience of three cases and review of literature

Clear cell sarcoma-like tumor of the gastrointestinal tract (CCSGT) is a rare, aggressive tumor with many histological mimickers. Herein, we have documented our experience of three cases of CCSGT and reviewed the literature. The index cases were identified in male patients in their twenties, one in jejunum and two in the distal colon. Histomorphological examination revealed the characteristic heterogeneous histomorphology with patchy immunohistochemical positivity with S100 protein and negative melanocytic markers. The fluorescence in-situ hybridization test showed translocation of the EWSR1 (22q12) gene in >80% tumor cells. While one of our patients died after 2 years with lung metastasis, the other two patients are still alive on 1.5 years and 3 months follow up, respectively. CCSGT is a rare malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. Although characteristic morphology, use of a judicial panel of immunohistochemical stains, and translocation study for EWSR1 gene can establish the diagnosis, experience in adjuvant therapy is still limited.

Duodenal mucosal immune cells in treatment-naive adult patients with celiac disease having different histological grades and controls

Background: It is hypothesized that the duodenal mucosal damage in patients with celiac disease (CeD) is caused by the mucosa-infiltrating lymphoid cells. This study aimed to analyze the immune effective and regulatory T (Treg) cells in duodenal biopsies from treatment-naive adult patients with CeD having different histological grades and controls. Patients and Methods: Dual-color immunohistochemical staining was done in a total of 234 duodenal biopsies, including 132 controls and 102 adult patients with CeD using CD20, CD3:CD4, CD3:CD8, CD4:FoxP3, CD8:FoxP3, and TCR??:TCR?? antibodies. The density of these lymphoid cells in lamina propria and mucosal epithelium was compared between controls and CeD, with different modified Marsh grades. Results: Densities of CD4+ T cells in lamina propria and CD8+?? intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) were significantly more in biopsies from patients with CeD, than in controls. An increasing linear pattern of IELs, CD3+ T cells, and CD20+ B cells was observed with increasing grades of villous abnormalities. Although CD8+ FoxP3+ Treg cells were significantly more in biopsies from patients with CeD, there was no significant difference in CD4+ FoxP3+ Treg cell infiltrate between both the groups. Conclusion: Our finding in this observational study generates interest to study the local intestinal mucosal immunity in CeD in detail. A study to prove the failure of CD4+ FoxP3+ Treg cell recruitment in CeD and its direct functional impact may yield valuable information regarding loss of mucosal tolerance.