LACK OF R117H MUTATION IN THE CATIONIC TRYPSINOGEN GENE IN PATIENTS WITH TROPICAL PANCREATITIS FROM BANGLADESH

The etiology of nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis, occurring in tropic al regions, is unknown. Although environmental factors may play a role in its pathogenesis, a specific genetic predisposition may be necessa ry. The genetic mutation responsible for hereditary pancreatitis was d escribed recently. Unlike in patients with hereditary pancreatitis, we found a lack of the R117H mutation in the cationic trypsinogen gene i n all patients with tropical pancreatitis from Bangladesh.