Dormant Helicobacter pylori in gastric mucosa in treated patients with ulcer

Aim. To develop experimental approaches to detection of inactive forms of H elicobacter pylori (HP) in patients treated for gastroduodenal ulcer, to,tr y the role of such HP forms in emergence of ulcer recurrences. Materials and methods. Examination for HP was made using a fast CLO test, p olymerase chain reaction (PCR), histologically. A simple quantitative spect rophotometric test for urease activity in biopsies of gastric mucosa is pro posed. Results. Antibacterial and other treatments led to a significant decline in urease activity dependent on the amount of the agents in the biopsies. PCR found HP in 48% of patients after the treatment. rn these cases HP may be in dormancy. This state is not safe because of possible HP activation event uating in ulcer recurrence. Conclusion. PCR can be used for prediction of ulcer recurrence as if is sen sitive to HP when widespread urease test gives negative results.