Abstract
BACKGROUND: The coccoid form of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is resistant to antibiotics. There are only a few studies that have analyzed the frequency of coccoid H. pylori in patients with gastritis. The aim of this work was to examine the correlation between the H. pylori form and the pathohistological characteristics of the stomach in patients with gastritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was cross-sectional and focused on the gastric mucosa samples of 397 patients from one general hospital in Croatia. Two independent pathologists analyzed the samples regarding the pathohistological characteristics and the form of H. pylori. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the gender of patients with H. pylori gastritis. Only the coccoid form of H. pylori was present in 9.6% of patients. There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of a certain form of the bacterium depending on its localization in the stomach. The intensity of the bacterium was low in the samples where only the coccoid or spiral form was described. In cases of infection in the antrum, premalignant lesions and the coccoid form of H. pylori were more often present. CONCLUSION: In the diagnosis of H. pylori infection, the determination of the form of the bacterium via immunohistochemistry should be included to increase the rate of eradication therapy and reduce the incidence of gastric malignancy.