Disappearance of Helicobacter without Antibiotics in 12 Patients with Gastritis
Detection ofHelicobacter pyloriin endoscopic gastric biopsies has been associated with a variety of diseases, including ulcers and gastritis. Although the natural history ofH pyloriin the gastric mucosa is unknown, antibiotic regimens have been used for eradication. Gastric biopsies from 6050 endoscopic procedures done by a single gastroenterologist from 1981 to 1994 were evaluated. Of these, 2860 from April 1, 1991 to September 30, 1994 had silver-stained biopsies to facilitateH pyloridetection, and at least two upper endoscopic procedures were done with gastric biopsies in 188 patients. Twelve of the 188 patients with an initially positiveH pylorigastric biopsy becameH pylori-negative without antibiotic treatment forH pylorior other infection; 10 received omeprazole and two received no drug treatment. In two of the 12 patients recurrentH pyloriin the gastric mucosa was also documented. These findings indicate thatH pylorimay disappear and reappear in the gastric mucosa with no specific antibiotic eradication regimen, although omeprazole may eradicateH pyloriin vivo in some patients. The natural history ofH pyloriin gastric biopsies is poorly understood. Improved understanding, especially regarding the pathogenesis of upper gastrointestinal ulcerative and inflammatory disease processes, is essential before recommendations for specific antibiotic eradication regimens can be made.