Correlation between the OLGA gastritis stage and H. pylori density by culture

Abstract

Introduction: H. pylori disappears in patients with progressing gastric atrophy, therefore H. pylori density should decrease along with increasing atrophy stage. Aim: To analyze the correlation between OLGA gastritis stage and H. pylori density assessed by culture. Patients and Methods: In total 133 prospective H. pylori positive patients (mean age 65) referred for upper endoscopy due to dyspeptic problems were included. Patients with gastric cancer, peptic ulcer, previous gastric surgery or eradication therapy were excluded. Gastric atrophy was assessed according to OLGA staging system. Biopsies from antrum and corpus were cultured separately; H. pylori density was expressed as low (<50 cfu/ 100 mkl) or high (>50 cfu/100 mkl). Results: H. pylori from antrum was cultured in 119 patients, from corpus - in 128 patients. The proportion of patients with high density of H. pylori decreased significantly in relation to OLGA gastritis stage (p < 0.05) (table). Conclusions: Patients with higher OLGA gastritis stages had lower number of colony forming units in H. pylori culture, supporting the data about the disappearance of H. pylori with increasing atrophy stage. [...].