p16 INK4a and Ki67 expression in normal, dysplastic and neoplastic uterine cervical epithelium and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

Cellular cycle proteins like the p16(INK4a) and the Ki67 proliferation nuclear antigen have been used as oncogenicity cellular markers. The E6 and E7 oncoproteins interact with tumor suppressor genes p53 and pRb, culminating with the p16(INK4a) overexpression. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of HPV-DNA in 174 cervical biopsies and correlate the different histological grades with the p16(INK4a) and Ki67 immunohistochemical expression (IHC). A cross-sectional study that enrolled a total of 174 women who underwent uterine cervical biopsies between February 2003 and December 2006, in southern Brazil, was performed. Cervical smear samples were analyzed for the presence of HPV-DNA through polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and biopsy samples were examined for p16(INK4A) and Ki67 expression through IHC techniques. The presence of HPV-DNA was observed in 89% of the tested patients, among which 52% were positive for high-risk (HR) viral types [16, 18 and 31]. Regarding p16(INK4a), an expression of 69% was observed, being expressed in 100% of the high-grade squamous lesions (HSIL) and HR-HPV-DNA positives. Ki67 expression was associated with the lesion grade, being more expressive in the most severe lesions (p<0.001). p16(INK4A) and Ki67 markers coexpression was present in 86% of the samples (p<0.001), being 100% among those positive to HR-HPV-DNA with HSIL (p<0.001). The results suggest an association between the presence of HR-HPV infection and the p16(INK4a) and Ki67 expression and which is even stronger among women with HSIL.

P53 and Ki-67 overexpression in gastroesophageal reflux disease--Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma sequence.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a major risk factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma (ACE). Many molecular alterations occur in esophageal carcinogenesis, yet the exact mechanism of ACE development remains unknown. This study aims to determine p53 protein and Ki-67 expression in esophageal mucosa of patients with GERD and study the correlation between these markers and the progression from normal squamous epithelium to esophagitis, columnar epithelium with or without intestinal metaplasia and ACE. We analyzed p53 protein and Ki-67 expression in biopsies of 200 patients with GERD and 35 patients with ACE. Those biopsies were classified into five groups: (i) G1 normal squamous epithelium (58); (ii) G2 esophagitis (80); (iii) G3 columnar epitheliums without intestinal metaplasia (30); (iv) G4, columnar epitheliums with intestinal metaplasia (32); and (v) G5 ACEs (35). p53 protein overexpression was found in 7% (4) of G1, 37.5% (30) of G2, 30% (9) of G3, 62.5% (20) of G4, and 71.4% (25) of G5 (p < 0.001). Ki-67 index increased according to the severity of histopathological diagnoses. Ki67 index was 21.3 +/- 19.5% in G1, 38.8 +/- 24.9% in G2, 37.7 +/- 26.3% in G3, 52.8 +/- 24.6% in G4, and 57.1 +/- 25.1% in G5 (P < 0.001). Linear correlation between p53/Ki67 expression and the multistep progression from squamous epithelium to ACE was observed (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05). Our results indicate that overexpression of p53 and increased Ki-67 could be associated with the development and progression to ACE in patients with GERD.

Effects of an antagonist of the bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide receptor on complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of RC-3095 in clinical and histopathologic parameters and inflammatory mediators on complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis (CFA). METHODS: The arthritis was induced by injection of CFA into the left hind footpad. The animals were divided into control, vehicle injected control, placebo group (saline subcutaneously 50ml/kg, once daily for 8 days after modeling), treatment group (0.3mg/kg of RC-3095 subcutaneously, once daily for 8 days after induction). Clinical evaluation was accomplished daily, through scoring of the paw edema. The animals were sacrificed 15 days after induction for collection of hind foot joints for histology. We used a histological scoring system which was previously described, and interferon (INF)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6 and interleukin (IL)-10 were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: There was a significant inhibition of joint histological findings in the RC-3095 treated group, including synovial inflammatory infiltration and hyperplasia, cartilage and bone erosion. IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, TNF, IL-6 and IL-10 serum levels were significantly lower in the treated group. Paw swelling and subcutaneous inflammation, evaluated clinically, were not different between CFA-induced groups. CONCLUSIONS: RC-3095 was able to improve experimental arthritis, attenuate joint damage and decrease serum levels of IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, TNF, IL-6 and IL-10. These data indicate that interference with GRP pathway is a potential new strategy for the treatment of RA that needs further investigational studies.

Association between the presence of anti-HLA antibodies with acute rejection and chronic allograft nephropathy in the first year after kidney transplantation.

The clinical relevance of anti-HLA antibodies following kidney transplantation has been a recent focus of research. Patients who present anti-HLA antibodies in the posttransplantation period have shown higher incidences of acute rejection episodes (ARE) and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of anti-HLA antibodies during the first year after kidney transplantation and their association with the occurrence of ARE and CAN. Eighty-eight kidney transplant recipients were evaluated for the presence of IgG anti-HLA antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (LAT-M and LAT-1240, One Lambda Inc, Calif, United States). Protocol kidney biopsies were performed in consenting patients. ARE and CAN were diagnosed by clinical, laboratory, and histopathological criteria. Anti-HLA antibodies were observed in 20 (22.7%) patients. At 1 year follow-up, 26.1% presented ARE and 51.2% developed CAN. Nine patients (45%) with antibodies developed ARE as opposed to 20.6% without antibodies and 64.7% developed CAN as opposed to 47.8% of those without antibodies. In the histological analysis, the anti-HLA antibodies were associated with Banff IIA ARE (P = .001) and Banff grade II CAN (P = .012). Routine posttransplantation search for antibodies may identify cases at higher risk for acute and chronic rejection, and perhaps help to tailor the immunosuppressive regimen.

Hypertension and Afro-descendant ethnicity: a bad interaction for lupus nephritis treated with cyclophosphamide?

Hypertension and ethnicity are important prognostic factors in evolution of lupus nephritis. A cohort of 75 patients with lupus nephritis treated with cyclophosphamide was conducted to investigate the evolution of creatinine levels between Caucasians and Afro-descendants. A multiple linear model was used to evaluate the combined effects of ethnicity and hypertension over delta creatinine controlling confounders. Sample characteristics were: 85% females; mean (+/-SD) age of 33.6 +/- 12.0 years; 77% Caucasians; 40% hypertensive at renal biopsy; 91% WHO class IV; mean basal creatinine: 1.5 +/- 1.3 mg/dL; mean final creatinine: 2.1 +/- 2.5 mg/dL; 40% anaemia; proteinuria: 5.4 +/- 4.8 g/day. Comparing Caucasians and Afro-descendants, it was found: 28.1% versus 72.2% for hypertension (P = 0.002); 31.6% versus 66.7% for anaemia (P = 0.018); 5.9 +/- 5.0 versus 3.8 +/- 4.0. g/day (P = 0.02) for proteinuria. Other comparisons including basal creatinine did not reach statistical significance. Comparing outcomes between Caucasians and Afro-descendants, it was found: 10.5% versus 22.2% for doubling of creatinine (P = 0.24); 0.41 +/- 2.03 versus 1.05 +/- 2.41 for delta creatinine ( P = 0.29); 8.8% versus 22.2% for haemodialysis (P = 0.21) and 3.5% versus 5.6% for death (P = 0.99). Analysing delta creatinine with multiple linear regression showed that hypertension had a significant overall effect (b = 0.80; SE = 0.32; P = 0.015), ethnicity alone was not significant (b = 0.35; SE = 0.29; P = 0.228); however, the effect of hypertension on delta creatinine was more intense among Afro-descendants than among Caucasians (interaction term b = - 0.83; SE = 0.37; P = 0.027). Afro-descendants lupus patients experience worst prognosis of renal function probably due to the effect of hypertension and not ethnicity per se.

c-Myc overexpression is strongly associated with metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence in the esophagus.

We aim to determine the expression of the proto-oncogene c-Myc in patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma, and to evaluate the prevalence of such expression in relation to the metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence. BE develops as a result of a severe esophageal mucosa injury from gastroesophageal reflux. BE is a premalignant lesion and plays an important role in the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Several genetic alterations have been identified in the process that transforms a normal cell into a tumorous one. In the development of human tumors, one of the most important genes is the proto-oncogene c-Myc. The c-Myc protein expression was determined by immunohistochemical analysis in four different groups: 31 patients with normal tissue, 43 patients with BE without dysplasia, 11 patients with dysplasia in BE and 37 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. The material was obtained from esophageal biopsies or the dissection of patient esophagectomy specimens. Demographic and endoscopic data (sex, age, race and intestinal metaplasia extension), and morphologic and histopathologic tumor characteristics (deep tumor invasion, lymph node status, and tumor differentiation) were analyzed. The c-Myc expression was assessed using the Immunoreactive Scoring System (IRS). Overexpression of c-Myc was found in only 9.6% of normal tissue specimens, 37.2% of Barrett's esophagus, 45.5% of BE patients with dysplasia and 73% of adenocarcinoma samples, with significant statistical difference among these groups. No correlation was identified when the c-Myc expression was compared with morphologic and histologic tumor features or endoscopic data. However, linear correlation of c-Myc overexpression along the metaplasia-dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence was observed. This study demonstrates a significant increase in the expression of c-Myc in Barrett's esophagus, dysplasia and adenocarcinoma in relation to the control group, as well as a linear progression of this gene expression in this sequence. These results point out the importance of this marker in the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma from BE.

Utility of biopsy in kidney transplants with delayed graft function and acute dysfunction.

Renal biopsy is currently the gold standard to assess the causes of renal allograft dysfunction. In the present study, we prospectively assessed the role of the renal allograft biopsy in the diagnosis and treatment of renal allograft dysfunction. Seven hundred and fifteen biopsies were performed in 399 patients. The anatomopathological results in group 1 (delayed graft function) were: 60.4% acute tubular necrosis, 17.6% acute rejection, 4.3% calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, and 17.7% other diagnoses; in group 2 (acute graft dysfunction): 42.3% acute rejection, 22% acute tubular necrosis, 8.4% calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, and 27.3% other diagnoses. Among patients with delayed graft function, 42.2% of biopsies led to a change in the treatment. In 60.5%, the biopsy of patients with acute dysfunction led to a change in the patient management. In our series, the result of the biopsy disagreed with the clinical diagnosis in 39.6% and 57.7% of cases, respectively. These results demonstrated that renal graft biopsy remains an indispensable tool for the accurate management of kidney transplant patients.

Subcutaneous inflammation (panniculitis) in tibio-tarsal joint of rats inoculated with complete Freund's adjuvant.

Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats, which presents similar features to rheumatoid arthritis, is a model widely used in aetiopathogenetic and investigational drug studies. In this model, arthritis is induced by intradermal injection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis suspended in mineral oil in the hind footpad. Although the histopathology findings in the joint are well described, the marked subcutaneous features of panniculitis that concomitantly occur in this model have received no attention. The objective of this paper is to describe the subcutaneous histopathological features in 8 Wistar rats after intraplantar injection of CFA. We studied the subcutaneous histopathological features in 8 Wistar rats after intraplantar injection of CFA in the left hind paw. The levels of subcutaneous inflammation of the animals in this study were evaluated for the histological characteristics present in the tissue and scored with 4 parameters (acute inflammation, chronic inflammation with fibrosis, subcutaneous and profound soft tissue necrosis, and the presence of giant cells, neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes) on days 4, 7, 11 and 15 after induction. All animals developed intense subcutaneous inflammation characteristic of panniculitis, with predominance of acute changes in the initial period, with progression to a self-perpetuating chronic fibrotic process on day 15. These observations precede the joint changes. Besides being an interesting model for better studying diseases with panniculitis, our observations bring up issues concerning the possible relations between subcutaneous and joint inflammatory changes.

Heterotopic transplantation of glycerin-preserved trachea: effect of respiratory epithelium desquamation on acute rejection.

An effective preservation method and decreased rejection are essential for tracheal transplantation in the reconstruction of large airway defects. Our objective in the present study was to evaluate the antigenic properties of glycerin-preserved tracheal segments. Sixty-one tracheal segments (2.4 to 3.1 cm) were divided into three groups: autograft (N = 21), fresh allograft (N = 18) and glycerin-preserved allograft (N = 22). Two segments from different groups were implanted into the greater omentum of dogs (N = 31). After 28 days, the segments were harvested and analyzed for mononuclear infiltration score and for the presence of respiratory epithelium. The fresh allograft group presented the highest score for mononuclear infiltration (1.78 +/- 0.43, P < or = 0.001) when compared to the autograft and glycerin-preserved allograft groups. In contrast to the regenerated epithelium observed in autograft segments, all fresh allografts and glycerin-preserved allografts had desquamation of the respiratory mucosa. The low antigenicity observed in glycerin segments was probably the result of denudation of the respiratory epithelium and perhaps due to the decrease of major histocompatibility complex class II antigens.

Heterotopic transplantation of glycerin-preserved trachea: effect of respiratory epithelium desquamation on acute rejection

An effective preservation method and decreased rejection are essential for tracheal transplantation in the reconstruction of large airway defects. Our objective in the present study was to evaluate the antigenic properties of glycerin-preserved tracheal segments. Sixty-one tracheal segments (2.4 to 3.1 cm) were divided into three groups: autograft (N = 21), fresh allograft (N = 18) and glycerin-preserved allograft (N = 22). Two segments from different groups were implanted into the greater omentum of dogs (N = 31). After 28 days, the segments were harvested and analyzed for mononuclear infiltration score and for the presence of respiratory epithelium. The fresh allograft group presented the highest score for mononuclear infiltration (1.78 ± 0.43, P <= 0.001) when compared to the autograft and glycerin-preserved allograft groups. In contrast to the regenerated epithelium observed in autograft segments, all fresh allografts and glycerin-preserved allografts had desquamation of the respiratory mucosa. The low antigenicity observed in glycerin segments was probably the result of denudation of the respiratory epithelium and perhaps due to the decrease of major histocompatibility complex class II antigens.

Helicobacter pylori eradication does not cause reflux oesophagitis in functional dyspeptic patients: a randomized, investigator-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The protective role of Helicobacter pylori in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease has been widely discussed. AIM: To assess the risk of reflux oesophagitis in patients with functional dyspepsia after treatment for H. pylori infection. METHODS: A randomized, placebo-controlled, investigator-blinded trial was carried out on 157 functional dyspeptic patients. Patients were randomized to receive lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin (antibiotic group) or lansoprazole and identical antibiotic placebos (control group). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed at baseline, 3 and 12 months after randomization. The primary aim was to detect the presence of reflux oesophagitis. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients (94%) and 133 (85%) completed 3 months and 12 months follow-up, respectively. The eradication rate of H. pylori was 90% in the antibiotic group (74 of 82) and 1% (one of 75) in the control group. At 3 months, reflux oesophagitis was diagnosed in 3.7% (three of 82) in the antibiotic group and 4% (three of 75) in the control group (P > 0.2). At 12 months, diagnosis was established in five new cases within the first group and in four within the second (P > 0.2). No difference was found in heartburn symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication does not cause reflux oesophagitis in this western population of functional dyspeptic patients.

Accuracy of frozen-section analysis in the diagnosis of ovarian tumors: a systematic quantitative review.

A quantitative systematic review was performed to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of frozen sections in ovarian tumors. Studies that compared frozen sections and paraffin sections within subjects for diagnosis of ovarian tumors were included. Fourteen primary studies were analyzed, which included 3 659 women. For benign ovarian vs borderline/malignant tumor cases, the occurrence of a positive frozen-section result for benignity (pooled likelihood ratio [LR], 8.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.3-10.4) and posttest probability for benign diagnosis was 95% (95% CI, 94-96%). A positive frozen-section result for malignant vs benign diagnosis (pooled LR, 303; 95% CI, 101-605) increased the probability of ovarian cancer to 98% (95% CI, 97-99%). In borderline vs benign ovarian tumor cases, a positive frozen-section result (pooled LR, 69; 95% CI, 45-106) increased the probability of borderline tumors to 79% (95% CI, 71-85%). In borderline vs malignant ovarian tumor cases, a positive frozen-section result (pooled LR, 18; 95% CI, 13-26) increased the probability of borderline tumors to 51% (95% CI, 42-60%). We conclude that diagnostic accuracy rates for frozen-section analysis is high for malignant and benign ovarian tumors, but the accuracy rates in borderline tumors remain relatively low.

Prognostic value of p53 protein expression and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in resected squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

The most common genetic alterations found in a wide variety of cancers are p53 tumor suppressor gene mutations. p53 appears to be a nuclear transcription factor that plays a role in the control of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and the maintenance of genetic stability. Angiogenesis is a critical process in solid tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a recently identified growth factor with significant angiogenic properties, may be a major tumor angiogenesis regulator. Few studies have investigated the association between p53 and VEGF expressions and prognosis in esophageal carcinoma. Forty-seven specimens resected from patients with stage II and III squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus were studied using immunohistochemical staining. VEGF and p53 expressions were observed in 40% and 53% of the tumors, respectively. The p53 and VEGF staining statuses were coincident in only 21% of the tumors, and no significant correlation was found between p53 and VEGF statuses. No clinicopathologic factors were significantly correlated with p53 or VEGF expression. No significant association between p53 and VEGF expressions and poor prognosis was found. In conclusion, p53 and VEGF were not correlated with prognosis in patients with stage II and III SCC of the esophagus.

Vaginal adenosis in a non-diethylstilbestrol-exposed 6-year-old patient.

Vaginal adenosis is rare, and it is defined as the presence of metaplastic cervical or endometrial epithelium within the vaginal wall. It is associated with in utero exposition to diethylstilbestrol and a high risk of vaginal carcinomas. A case of vaginal adenosis arising in a non-diethylstilbestrol-exposed 6-year-old patient is presented. Few cases have been described in children and adolescents, and since the withdrawal of diethylstilbestrol from the market, this condition is rarely described in the medical literature. However, it should be considered as a possible diagnosis in girls with persistent vaginal discharge.

Prevalence and epidemiologic correlates of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance in women at low risk for cervical cancer.

Our aim was to determine the prevalence and epidemiologic correlates of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) in a population at low risk for cervical cancer in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Sociodemographic data and gynecological and obstetrical history from 977 women screened at an outpatient clinic were recorded. Specimens were collected for Papanicolaou cervical cytology, colposcopy, and biopsy (if indicated). Sixty-two (6.3%) patients presented ASCUS, 21 (2.1%) presented low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and 6 (0.6%) presented high-grade lesions. Presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in cervical cells (odds ratio (OR) = 1.57; confidence interval (CI) 95% = 1.11-2.23), history of HPV infection (OR = 3.12; CI 95% = 1.22-7.96), and becoming sexually active at 18 yr or younger (OR = 1.70; CI 95% = 1.15-2.51) were independently associated with ASCUS. ASCUS patients reported HPV infections and presented HPV DNA in cervical cells more often than did patients with normal cytology; therefore, they should be carefully monitored to ensure early detection of cancer precursor lesions and prevention of cervical cancer.

Chromoblastomycosis: a review of 100 cases in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: If not diagnosed earlier, chromoblastomycosis has a chronic evolutional course that may cause several problems, such as difficulty in managing therapy because of the recrudescent character of the disease, potential association with the growth of epidermoid carcinoma in affected regions, and poor quality of life and work incapacity to the patient. Although infrequent, new cases are reported in the state of Rio Grande do Sul every year, ratifying the necessity for further studies on this disease. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review clinical features and response to therapy in patients with chromoblastomycosis and present data on the demography and history of this disease in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: We reviewed case records of 100 patients with skin lesions caused by chromoblastomycosis, who were treated between 1963 and 1998. The cases were confirmed by the histopathologic and mycologic analyses made by the Dermatology Service of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital. RESULTS: There was a predominance of male patients (4:1) and of white farmers whose ages ranged from 50 to 59 years, with lesions on their lower limbs. Most of them were from the northern regions of the state. The average time between the appearance of the disease and medical diagnosis was 14 years. The verrucous type proved to be the most frequently reported lesion (53%). Thorn wounds were associated with the disease in 16% of the cases. Lesions uncommon to some parts of the body were also reported. In two of the cases, cutaneous lesions caused by paracoccidioidomycosis and chromoblastomycosis were found in the same patient. Epidermoid carcinoma was found in the same parts of the body affected by chromoblastomycosis. Eumycotic mycetoma and chromoblastomycosis were associated. Fonsecaea pedrosoi was found in 96% of the cases, and Phialophora verrucosa in 4% of the cases. CONCLUSION: In our study, we observed a predominance of cases in the regions of Missões and Alto Uruguay, followed by the upper and lower northeastern slopes and the lowlands. Severe cases of chromoblastomycosis with intense skin involvement (eg, lesions with carcinoma) were observed. Statistical analysis showed recrudescence of the disease in 43% of cases despite the treatment used.

[Contribution of hepatic immunoglobulin A deposits to the diagnosis of alcoholic hepatopathy]. / Contribuição dos depósitos hepáticos de imunoglobulina a no diagnóstico da hepatopatia alcoólica.

BACKGROUND: Alcoholic hepatic disease is a severe and frequent disease and its diagnosis is not always an easy task. AIM: To assess the contribution of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the hepatic sinusoids for diagnosis of alcoholic hepatopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The presence of IgA was studied through direct immunofluorescence in 59 patients submitted to hepatic needle biopsy, indicated by clinical or in vitro changes suggestive of chronic hepatopathy. RESULTS: A significant deposition of IgA was found in alcoholic patients as compared to non-alcoholic patients, with 76% sensitivity (95% CI: 54.5-89.8) and 73.5% specificity (95% CI: 55.3-86.5). In individuals who present only alcohol as the etiological agent of hepatopathy, compared with the subgroup of B or C virus carriers, the results were even more significant, with 85.7% sensitivity (95% CI: 56.2-97.5) and 89.5% specificity (95% CI: 65.5-98.2). CONCLUSION: The deposition of IgA in the hepatic sinusoids present sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of an alcohol-induced hepatic lesion. This resource can be particularly useful when conventional histology can not be define a specific cause for the change found.

[Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in children evaluated at "Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre", RS, Brazil]. / Prevalência de infecção por, Helicobacter pylori em crianças avaliadas no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

OBJECTIVES: To determine prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in a group of symptomatic patients between 2 and 18 years old who were submitted to gastric biopsy during upper endoscopy done in the period of 1990-97. To correlate the histological findings with clinical and endoscopical data. METHODS: A cross-sectional study done after review of clinical and histopathological data. Histopathological sections were reviewed by a pathologist, who did not know the clinical information and the previous histopathological reports. RESULTS: Among 181 patients evaluated, prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was 24.86% (45 positive cases). In pathological analysis, gastritis was found in 38/45 of the positive Helicobacter pylori patients and in 45/136 negative Helicobacter pylori. Gastric ulceration was found in 6/45 positive Helicobacter pylori and in 3/136 negative Helicobacter pylori. CONCLUSION: This study stated a significative association between Helicobacter pylori infection and pathological abnormalities in children evaluated in the "Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre", RS, Brazil.