identification of a novel Helicobacter species in cholecystitis specimens; a preliminary study

ABSTRACT

This work tried to verify the role if any of helicobacter species in the incidence of cholecystitis. This study was conducted in the General Surgery Department at Theodore Bilharzia Research Institute. 83 patients were included in this study. A full history was taken with emphasis on symptoms suggestive of cholecystitis. The 83 cholecystectomy specimens removed by both laparoscopic and conventional open surgical procedures and collected for histopathological examination. Most of the examined gall bladders contained stones [79 specimens], while the other 4 specimens contained gravel material [biliary mud]. All positive cases for helicobacter were cases of chronic calculus cholecystitis. The study detected histopathologically certain bacterial species similar in morphology, staining characters and cellular distribution to Helicobacter pylori in few cholecystectomy specimens. Six specimens were removed from patients with chronic cholecystitis. These few cases were associated with gastric type metaplasia of gall bladder mucosa. These microorganisms may contribute in the pathogenesis of chronic calcular cholecystitis and or the development of gall stones [lithiasis]. Further bacteriological and molecular studies are recommended to identify the exact nature of these microorganisms, the method of infection and the response to therapy