Clinical relevance of cagA and vacA and association with mucosal findings in Helicobacter pylori-infected individuals from Chennai, South India.

Helicobacter pylori is associated with a spectrum of severe gastrointestinal conditions. In this study, an attempt was made to correlate endoscopic mucosal patterns with H. pylori infection and examine the pathogenic potential of the strains. Among the 147 dyspeptic individuals studied, 42.2% were H. pylori infected. Association of H. pylori with type 3 and 4 mucosal patterns (P = 0.001) and intestinal metaplasia (P = 0.012) was seen. vacA was associated with histological (P = 0.014) and endoscopy findings (P = 0.009). Association of mucosal patterns with H. pylori infection could be useful for clinicians to decide on the need for eradication therapy.