Campylobacter pyloridis gastritis II: Distribution of bacteria and associated inflammation in the gastroduodenal environment.

The distribution of Campylobacter pyloridis in the stomach and duodenal bulb of two series of patients (n = 53) with dyspeptic symptoms was studied. In all patients where a comprehensive search of the stomach was conducted, C. pyloridis and active chronic gastritis were associated. That is, the presence of this organism anywhere in the stomach may be taken as a marker of active chronic gastritis within that stomach, although not necessarily at the site of bacterial detection. Two main patterns of colonization are proposed: C. pyloridis either colonizes normal antra and extends proximally along the lesser curvature and into the body with subsequent development of active chronic gastritis and/or the bacterium colonizes areas of chronic-only gastritis induced by other agents resulting in active chronic gastritis. As C. pyloridis may be limited to the antrum or body of any given stomach, it is necessary to biopsy both areas when looking for the bacterium.