LYMPHOCYTIC GASTRITIS - A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH CELIAC-DISEASE

Lymphocytic gastritis is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the surface and pit epithelium. Its cause has not been established, bu t an association with Helicobacter pylori infection or celiac disease has been suggested. We evaluated the histologic features of both gastr ic and duodenal biopsy specimens from 245 consecutive children and ado lescents, and found chronic gastritis in 60 children and celiac diseas e in 25. Chronic gastritis was associated with H. pylori infection in 36 children and with celiac disease in 15. Lymphocytic gastritis was f ound in nine children with celiac disease. Children with lymphocytic g astritis had a mean of 40.64 lymphocytes per 100 epithelial cells, com pared with a mean of 3.92 lymphocytes per 100 epithelial cells in chil dren with H. pylori-associated gastritis and 5.15 lymphocytes in norma l control subjects. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the intrae pithelial lymphocytes in lymphocytic gastritis were T cells. No child with lymphocytic gastritis had serologic evidence of past H. pylori in fection. We conclude that lymphocytic gastritis in children is associa ted with celiac disease. Dyspeptic symptoms are frequent; the endoscop ic appearance is not characteristic.