RESUMO
It is generally agreed that Helicobacter pylori (Hp) plays a key role in alterating regulatory factors affecting cellular proliferation during the disease process. During chronic superficial gastritis there is, in case of moderate/severe activity, a foveolar-superficial expansion of immature muco-peptic cells. In the present experience this phenomenon has been evaluated in the surrounding areas of 22 body-fundic gastric ulcer (BFGU). The 72.7 percent of BFGU were Hp positive. The expansion was detectable in 68.7 percent of Hp positive BFGU. The expansion process involves the substitution of mature cells with immature one determining a reduction of the efficacy of the mucosa barrier in association with an increment of aggresive factors (mucosal pepsins). This phenomenon in relation with host genetic susceptibility may favor peptic ulcer.