ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the detection method of coccoid helicobacter pylori (HP) and to investigate the significance of pure coccoid HP infection of gastric mucous membrane.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 171 gastric biopsy specimens were reviewed by HE stain, and the presence, density and tissue distribution of HP were investigated by sliver stain and immunohistochemistry(S-P method).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rates of mucosal erosion and active inflammation with the presence of pure coccoid HP infection were 36.0% (9/25) and 44.0% (11/25), respectively, both higher than those without HP infection (13.5%, 10/74; 24.3%, 18/74), while lower than those infected with spiral HP (72.1%, 49/68; 79.4%, 54/68). The quantity of interstitial lymphocyte and inflammation severity were also higher than those without HP infection, while lower than those with spiral HP infection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Pure coccoid HP causes human gastritis, similar to that of spiral HP infection but at a lesser degree. Further studies are important to confirm its clinical significance.</p>
