Evidence for anaphylactic reactions in peptic ulcer and varioliform gastritis.

The theory of an allergic participation in the pathogenesis of gastric erosions occurring in varioliform gastritis and in peptic ulcer was tested in humans. Biopsies were obtained from the edges of gastric and duodenal ulcers and from the erosion edges of varioliform gastritis as well as from surrounding duodenal, antral and fundic mucosae. Intracellular immunofluorescence staining was used to identify mucosal plasma cells. The lesion edges were characterized by a marked increase of IgE cells. These features justify new therapeutic orientations.