Helicobacter pylori Before and After Gastric Reduction for Morbid Obesity.

Nine patients with morbid obesity were evaluated for the presence of Helicobacter pylon (Hp) before gastric reduction, and all were negative. Fifteen patients, Including those nine, were evaluated for the presence of Hp in antral and 'channel' region biopsies by culture and urease test after gastric reduction. Hp-negative patients totaled 73.3% by both tests, although chronic superficial gastritis type 'B' was found In eight out of 13 (61.5%), and six out of seven (85.7%) gastritis patients were positive for Holicobacter-like organisms in the hematoxylin- and eosin-stained biopsies. Our data suggest that in stomachs of morbid obesity patients before as well as after gastric reduction procedures, the incidence of Hp is very low, and the reasons for this observation are yet unknown.