Body-fundic gastric ulcer and Helicobacter pylori: muco-peptic cells expansion (immature cells) in Helicobacter pylori positive patients.

It is generally agreed that Helicobacter pylori (Hp) plays a key role in alterating regulatory factors affecting cellular proliferation during the disease process. During chronic superficial gastritis there is, in case of moderate/severe activity, a foveolar-superficial expansion of immature muco-peptic cells. In the present experience this phenomenon has been evaluated in the surrounding areas of 22 body-fundic gastric ulcer (BFGU). The 72.7% of BFGU were Hp positive. The expansion was detectable in 68.7% of Hp positive BFGU. The expansion process involves the substitution of mature cells with immature one determining a reduction of the efficacy of the mucosa barrier in association with an increment of aggressive factors (mucosal pepsins). This phenomenon in relation with host genetic susceptibility may favor peptic ulcer.