PARIETAL-CELLS IN THE DUODENAL BULB AND THEIR RELATION TO HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION

Aim-To investigate the prevalence, and relation to Helicobacter pylori , of parietal cells in the duodenal bulb using a monoclonal antibody d irected against H+,K+-ATPase (HK12.18). Methods-Twenty six patients wi th duodenal ulcer disease and 16 healthy controls were studied. H pylo ri status was determined by gastric histology and culture and by the C -13-urea breath test. Four biopsy specimens were taken from the duoden al bulb and stained with HK12.18. The presence/absence and number of p arietal cells in the duodenal bulb were assessed blindly by a histopat hologist. Results-The overall prevalence of parietal cells in the duod enal bulb was 31% (13/42) and was similar in patients with duodenal ul cer and in controls, and in H pylori positive and negative subjects. T he median (range) number of parietal cells in the duodenal bulb was 7. 5 (4-20) parietal cells/subject, and was similar in all four groups. C onclusions-The prevalence of parietal cells in the duodenal bulb (31%) is notably higher than previously reported in endoscopic studies, and is in keeping with reports from studies on necropsy/operative specime ns. There was no difference in the prevalence or number of parietal ce lls in the duodenal bulb between patients with duodenal ulcer and cont rols, regardless of H pylori status. These findings suggest that parie tal cells in the duodenal bulb do not contribute to the pathogenesis o f duodenal ulcer.