Role of Immunohistochemistry Versus he Stain in Helicobacter pylori Detection in Gastric Lesions

Helicobacter pylori are a spiral campylobacter like bacteria which infects the stomach causing chronic active gastritis. This can result in peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. In 1989, studies involving 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing and others revealed that the bacterium does not come under the genus Campylobacter. Hence the bacterium was classified under a unique genus named Helicobacter. This term is taken from the Greek language with helix meaning - "spiral" or "coil" and pylori meaning- gatekeeper (pylorus of stomach). This bacterium is said to penetrate the pylori or mucoid lining of the stomach. When infected during the early stages of life, people develop intense inflammation that may be followed by atrophic gastritis which serves as a risk factor for gastric ulcer, gastric cancer or both. Being infected during later stages of life changes the gastric system leading to duodenal ulcer. The present study analyzes the role of Immunohistochemistry versus Hematoxylin and Eosin and special stains in detecting Helicobacter pylori in gastric lesions.