Analysis of Antral Biopsy Specimens for Evidence of Acquired Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue in HIV1-Seropositive and HIV1-Negative Patients

Abstract

Background: There is conflicting evidence concerning the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori gastritis in HIV1-infected patients. Furthermore, a possible influence of immunodeficiency on the acquisition of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in the antral mucosa remains to be elucidated.

Methods: Seventy-seven consecutive HIV1-infected patients (mean age, 40.2 years) were compared in a prospective study with 77 HIV1-negative age-matched patients, using immunohistochemical stainings.

Results: In HIV1-infected patients the prevalence of H. pylori gastritis was lower and the inflammatory reaction less pronounced than in controls. Lymphoid follicles and intraepithelial B cells were significantly more often detected in HIV1-negative patients.

Conclusions: Evidence of acquired MALT is only rarely found in HIV1-infected patients. These findings might contribute to the explanation of why low-grade gastric MALT lymphomas have not been reported in HIV1-infected patients so far.

Key Words:

• Helicobacter pylori
• HIV1 infection
• mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue