Clinical, endoscopical and histological aspects of Helicobacter pylori in Cote d'Ivoire: study of 102 cases.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most frequent aetiologic al factor of chronic gastritis (CG). The relationship between H. pylori gas tritis, gastra-duodenal ulcer and some gastric cancers (adenocarcinoma, gas tric MALT lymphoma) has now been proven. Aim: Describe clinical, endoscopical and histological aspects of H. pylori gastritis in Cote d'Ivoire. Methods: retrospective analysis of 1960 gastroscopy reports carry out betwe en January 1994 and December 1995. Analysis of clinical and gastric histolo gical results in 137 patients. Findings: Among 137 patients with gastric biopsy, 102 had H. pylori gastrit is (68 men, 38 women, mean age: 39.3 years) and 35 had chemical gastritis. Epigastric pain was the most frequent symptom, The mucosa was frequently er ythematous or exsudative at endoscopy. Histological anomalies were located in the antrum, the fundus or generalised, respectively in 33.3%, 25.5% and 41.2% of cases. Mild atrophic CG was more frequent in various locations. Ga stritis activity was present in 81.4%, intestinal metaplasia in 18.6% and f ollicular lymphoid hyperplasia in 36.3% of cases. Conclusion: Clinical and endoscopical aspects of H. pylori gastritis did no t present any particularities. Fundic gastritis without antral localisation was not unusual. This situation could be the result of antibiotic and gast ric acid secretion inhibitor treatments.