LOW-GRADE GASTRIC MALT LYMPHOMA AND HELICOBACTER-HEILMANNII (GASTROSPIRILLUM-HOMINIS)

We report the fourth case of low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma associate d to Helicobacter heilmannii. This spiral organism may be present in t he gastric mucosa of animals where it is non pathogenic while, in huma ns, its presence is always associated with chronic gastritis. In this case, Helicobacter heilmannii was observed in the absence of Helicobac ter pylori. Regression of endoscopic and histological lesions after He licobacter heilmannii eradication suggests its role in gastric lymphom a. This observation underlines the need for searching for Helicobacter heilmannii by careful histological examination, in the absence of Hel icobacter pylori, and the importance of its eradication in the treatme nt of gastric lymphoma.