Histopathological Changes Associated with Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Chronic Cholecystitis

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and the histopathological changes that occur in the gall bladder including the wall (mucosa, musculosa and serosa) and the lymphoid tissue. And to evaluate how far these changes (varying from atrophy, metaplasia or dysplasia).Methods: From June 2011 to June 2012, 50 patients recruited from National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute and Surgical Department Cairo University were operated upon for chronic cholecystitis. The patients were subdivided into two equal groups (each includes 25 patients). H pylori +ve group who do have H. Pylori in their gall bladder mucosa detected by Giemsa stain and H. pylorive group. In pathological examination of the gallbladder, were evaluated the presence and the degree of mucosal erosions, atrophy, metaplasia, dysplasia, lymphoid infiltration, musculosa hypertrophy and fibrosis. The histological findings were compared between the two groups and the collected data was analyzed using a Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher’s Exact test (p 0.05).Results: When comparing the histological findings of the H. pylori infected gallbladders with the non-infected ones, the gallbladders with mucosal hyperplasia, metaplasia/dysplasia and lymphoid infiltration showed statistically significant differences, with a p-value of 0.028, 0.049, 0.022 respectively. On the other hand, no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the degree of mucosal erosions (p=0.299), atrophy, musculosa hypertrophy (p=1.000) and fibrosis (p=1.000).Conclusion: The above mentioned results suggesting the role of H. Pylori infection in aggravating the mucosal hyperplasia, metaplasia and lymphoid infiltration.