Korean J Intern Med.  2002 Mar;17(1):45-50.

Electron Microscopic Evaluation of Adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to the Gastric Epithelial Cells in Chronic Gastritis

• Chun HJ
• Park DK
• Park CH
• Park JH
• Jeen YT
• Um SH
• Lee SW
• Choi JH
• Kim CD
• Ryu HS
• Hyun JH
• Chae YS
• Uhm CS

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The adhesion of H. pylori to the gastric epithelial cells may be an essential step for the pathophysiology of various H. pylori-induced gastrointestinal diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural relation of H. pylori and gastric epithelial cells in their adhesion. METHODS: Endoscopic biopsy of gastric antrum and body was performed from 15 patients (9 men, 6 women) with chronic gastritis and H. pylori infection. The specimens were processed for electron microscopy and observed with a transmission electron microscope (Hitachi H-600). RESULTS: On the basis of morphological appearances, the adhesions of H. pylori to the gastric epithelial cells were categorized into three types; filamentous connection, adhesion pedestals and membrane fusion. Coccoid and undetermined forms adhered mainly by the filamentous connection, whereas the bacillary forms adhered primarily by the adhesion pedestals and membrane fusion. CONCLUSION: Various types of adhesion were associated with H. pylori and gastric epithelium. Further studies are needed to evaluate the influence of different types of adhesion to the pathophysiology of H. pylori.

Keyword

Helicobacter pylori; Gastric cell; Electron microscopy; Adhesion; Chronic gastritis

MeSH Terms

*Bacterial Adhesion
Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
Female
Gastritis/*microbiology/pathology
Helicobacter Infections/*microbiology/pathology/physiopathology
Helicobacter pylori/classification/physiology/*ultrastructure
Human
Male
Microscopy, Electron
Middle Age
Stomach/*microbiology/pathology
Support, Non-U.S. Gov't