RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To report the first case in Costa Rica of a colon tumor removed by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). PATIENT AND METHOD: We describe the case of a 70-year-old man with a multilobulated 25 millimeters tumor located in the cecum, near the ileocecal valve, detected during a routine colonoscopic check-up. The biopsy revealed a tubular adenoma with high grade dysplasia and the patient underwent an endoscopic submucosal en-bloc dissection of the lesion. RESULTS: The procedure was successfully performed without complications such as bleeding or perforation. The operative time was 117 minutes. The histopathological analysis of the en-bloc specimen confirmed the diagnosis of high grade dysplasia with negative vertical and horizontal margins. CONCLUSION: Colon ESD is an attractive and safe treatment option for the removal of premalignant lesions and some types of early colon cancer.
Assuntos
Adenoma/cirurgia , Neoplasias do Ceco/cirurgia , Colonoscopia/métodos , Dissecação/métodos , Adenoma/diagnóstico , Idoso , Neoplasias do Ceco/diagnóstico , Costa Rica , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMO
OBJETIVO. Reportar el primer caso en Costa Rica de disección endoscópica de la submucosa (DES) de un tumor de colon. PACIENTE Y MÉTODO. Se describe el caso de un paciente de 70 años, a quien en una colonoscopia de rutina se le detecta una lesión elevada multilobulada de aproximadamente 25 milímetros localizada en ciego, cerca de la válvula ileocecal. La biopsia reveló un adenoma tubular con displasia de alto grado por lo que el paciente fue sometido a una disección en-bloc de la submucosa de la lesión por vía endoscópica. RESULTADOS. El procedimiento se realizó exitosamente sin complicaciones como sangrado o perforación. El tiempo operatorio fue de 117 minutos. El análisis histopatológico del espécimen en-bloc confirmó el diagnóstico de displasia de alto grado con márgenes verticales y horizontales libres. CONCLUSIÓN. La DES de colon es una atractiva y segura alternativa de tratamiento para resecar de lesiones premalignas y algunos tipos de cáncer temprano de colon.
OBJECTIVES. To report the first case in Costa Rica of a colon tumor removed by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). PATIENT AND METHOD. We describe the case of a 70-year-old man with a multilobulated 25 millimeters tumor located in the cecum, near the ileocecal valve, detected during a routine colonoscopic check-up. The biopsy revealed a tubular adenoma with high grade dysplasia and the patient underwent an endoscopic submucosal en-bloc dissection of the lesion. RESULTS. The procedure was successfully performed without complications such as bleeding or perforation. The operative time was 117 minutes. The histopathological analysis of the en-bloc specimen confirmed the diagnosis of high grade dysplasia with negative vertical and horizontal margins. CONCLUSION. Colon ESD is an attractive and safe treatment option for the removal of premalignant lesions and some types of early colon cancer.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Idoso , Colonoscopia , Dissecação , Neoplasias Colorretais/cirurgia , Neoplasias Colorretais/prevenção & controle , Neoplasias do Colo , Costa RicaRESUMO
OBJETIVO. Reportar la primera serie de casos de colecistectomía NOTES transvaginal en humanos en Costa Rica y su potencial clínico en el abordaje de patologías abdominales en este país. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS. Presentamos una serie de tres casos de pacientes femeninas adultas de 44, 58 y 69 años (promedio 57 años), asintomáticas, con diagnóstico de pólipo vesicular por un ultrasonido abdominal, sometidas a una colecistectomía por vía transvaginal modificada con técnica laparoscópica. Se insertó un trócar de 5 mm a través del ombligo para creación y monitoreo del pneumoperitoneo, así mismo posibilitando visión endoscópica durante la introducción intravaginal de un endoscopio y una pinza para retracción cefálica de la vesícula. A través del trócar intraumbilical se insertó un dispositivo laparoscópico de gancho convencional para disección del pedículo y cama hepática, y posteriormente una clipadora laparoscópica para clipeo de la arteria y conducto cístico. La extracción de la vesícula se realizó por vía transvaginal. RESULTADOS. Los tres casos fueron realizados con éxito, sin presentar ninguna complicación intra o postoperatoria. El tiempo operatorio promedio fue de 107 minutos (rango 100-115 minutos). Las pacientes fueron egresadas al cabo de 24 horas. En el control postoperatorio al mes, ninguna paciente refirió dolor incisional ni dispareunia. CONCLUSIÓN. La colecistectomía NOTES transvaginal combinada con técnica laparoscópica es viable, segura, reproducible y constituye un paso más en el desarrollo de la cirugía NOTES pura. Mayores esfuerzos en investigación tecnológica y dedicación se requieren para generalizar esta técnica a otros procedimientos más complejos.
OBJECTIVES. To report the first case series of transvaginal NOTES cholecystectomy in humans in Costa Rica and its clinical potential in the treatment of abdominal diseases in this country. PATIENTS AND METHODS. We present a series of three cases of adult female patients of 44, 58 and 69 years of age (average 57 years), asymptomatic, with a gall bladder polyp diagnosed by an abdominal ultrasound, who underwent a transvaginal cholecystectomy modified with laparoscopic technique. A 5 mm trocar was inserted through the umbilicus to create and to monitor the pneumoperitoneum, as well as to possibilitate endoscopic vision during the intravaginal introduction of an endoscope and a forceps device for cephalic retraction of the gall bladder. Through the intraumbilical trocar a conventional laparoscopic hook device was also inserted for dissection of the pedicle and hepatic bed, and also a laparoscopic clip applier for clipping of the cystic artery and duct. The gall bladder was extracted through the vagina. RESULTS. The three cases were successfully performed without intra- or postoperative complications. The average operative time was 107 minutes (range 100-115 minutes). The patients were discharged within 24 hours. At the 1-month follow-up, none of the patients complained neither of incisional pain nor dyspareunia. CONCLUSION. The transvaginal NOTES cholecystectomy combined with laparoscopic technique is feasible, safe, reproducible, and constitutes one step further in the development of pure NOTES procedures. More effort in technological investigation and dedication is to be required to apply this technique to other more complex procedures.
Assuntos
Humanos , Feminino , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Colecistectomia Laparoscópica , Colposcopia , Endossonografia , Costa RicaRESUMO
El seguimiento postoperatorio tiene un rol importante para la sobrevida del paciente después de la resección curativa del cáncer colorrectal. OBJETIVOS: Describir las características del seguimiento con tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET) integrado a tomografía axial computarizada (CT) (PET/CT) y su impacto en los sobrevivientes de cáncer colorrectal (CCR) posterior a la resección con intención curativa en un hospital universitario en la prefectura de Tochigi, Japón. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Revisión consecutiva de las historias clínicas de 209 pacientes sometidos a estadificación prequirúrgica con PET/CT para la resección curativa de cáncer colorrectal entre abril de 2005 y marzo de 2008. La información de la evaluación postoperatoria se revisó hasta setiembre de 2008. RESULTADOS: De 209 pacientes que fueron estadificados preoperatoriamente por CCR, 207 (varones/mujeres = 125/82; edad promedio = 65,2 ± 11,4 años) fueron operados con intención curativa e incluidos en el presente estudio. La tasa de cumplimiento con los lineamientos de seguimiento de la Sociedad Japonesa para el Cáncer de Colon y Recto (JSCCR) fue del 53%. La sobrevida acumulada total al final del intervalo de estudio fue de 96.4%. La prueba más utilizada en el seguimiento postoperatorio del CCR fue el antígeno carcinoembrionario (CEA). La PET/CT fue la prueba que detectó más pacientes con lesiones recurrentes (n = 11; valor predictivo positivo = 23.4), entre ellos un paciente con lesión asintomática curable (metástasis a nódulo linfático inguinal), siendo la prueba con mayor efectividad (2.1%). No obstante, su elevado costo convierte a la PET/ CT en el procedimiento menos costo-efectivo. CONCLUSIONES: La utilización de PET/CT en el seguimiento posoperatorio tras resección curativa en CCR ha demostrado ser una alternativa individualizada y efectiva en el hallazgo de enfermedad asintomática curable. El estudio sistemático con CEA y CT como primera línea de despistaje y PET...
Postoperative surveillance has an important role in patient survival after curative resection of colorectal cancer. OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of the follow-up with positron emission tomography(PET) / computed tomography (CT)(PET/CT) and its impact in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors after curative resection in a university hospital in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive review of patients hospital charts who underwent presurgical staging with PET/CT for curative resection of colorectal cancer between April 2005 and March 2008. The follow-up data of these patients was reviewed until September 2008. RESULTS: Of 209 patients presurgically staged for CRC, 207 (male/female = 125/82; mean age = 65.3 ± 11.3 years) underwent curative resection and were included in the present study. The compliance rate with the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum (JSCCR) follow-up guidelines was 53%. The cumulative survival at the end of study interval was 96.4%. The test most commonly used in postoperative follow-up of CRC was the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). PET/CT was the test that detected more patients with recurrent lesions (n = 11, positive predictive value = 23.4), including one patient with an asymptomatic curable recurrence (inguinal lymph node metastasis), also being the most effective test (2.1%). However, its high cost makes it the less cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS: The use of PET/CT in the postoperative follow-up after curative resection in CRC has proven to be an individualized and effective alternative in the finding of asymptomatic disease curable. Systematic CEA tests with contrast-enhanced CT as a first line of screening and PET/CT as a second line may be an alternative follow up approach after curative resection for CRC.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Criança , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neoplasias Colorretais , Período Pós-Operatório , Sobrevida , Tomografia por Emissão de PósitronsRESUMO
AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) babA2, babB and a recombinant gene between babA2 and babB (babA2/B), and their role in the development of atrophic gastritis in Costa Rican and Japanese clinical isolates. METHODS: A total of 95 continuous H. pylori-positive Costa Rican (41 males and 54 females; mean age, 50.65 years; SD, +/- 13.04 years) and 95 continuous H. pylori-positive Japanese (50 males and 45 females; mean age, 63.43; SD, +/- 13.21 years) patients underwent upper endoscopy from October 2005 to July 2006. They were enrolled for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based genotyping of the H. pylori babA2, babB and babA2/B genes. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi(2) test and the Fisher's exact probability test and multivariate analysis was performed by logistic regression adjusting for gender and age. P < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. RESULTS: The PCR-based genotyping of 95 Costa Rican and 95 Japanese isolates showed a higher prevalence of babA2 in Japan (96.8%) than in Costa Rica (73.7%), while that of babA2/B was higher in Costa Rica (11.6%) than in Japan (1.1%). In Costa Rican isolates only, babA2 was significantly associated with atrophic gastritis (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the status of babA2 and babA2/B shows geographic differences, and that babA2 has clinical relevance in Costa Rica.
Assuntos
Adesinas Bacterianas/genética , Gastrite Atrófica/microbiologia , Infecções por Helicobacter/epidemiologia , Helicobacter pylori/genética , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Costa Rica/epidemiologia , Feminino , Gastrite Atrófica/epidemiologia , Humanos , Japão/epidemiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Recombinação Genética , Fatores SexuaisRESUMO
UNLABELLED: Postoperative surveillance has an important role in patient survival after curative resection of colorectal cancer. OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of the follow-up with positron emission tomography (PET) / computed tomography (CT)(PET/CT) and its impact in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors after curative resection in a university hospital in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive review of patient's hospital charts who underwent presurgical staging with PET/CT for curative resection of colorectal cancer between April 2005 and March 2008. The follow-up data of these patients was reviewed until September 2008. RESULTS: Of 209 patients presurgically staged for CRC, 207 (male/female = 125/82; mean age = 65.3 ± 11.3 years) underwent curative resection and were included in the present study. The compliance rate with the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum (JSCCR) follow-up guidelines was 53%. The cumulative survival at the end of study interval was 96.4%. The test most commonly used in postoperative follow-up of CRC was the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). PET/CT was the test that detected more patients with recurrent lesions (n = 11, positive predictive value = 23.4), including one patient with an asymptomatic curable recurrence (inguinal lymph node metastasis), also being the most effective test (2.1%). However, its high cost makes it the less cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS: The use of PET/CT in the postoperative follow-up after curative resection in CRC has proven to be an individualized and effective alternative in the finding of asymptomatic disease curable. Systematic CEA tests with contrast-enhanced CT as a first line of screening and PET/CT as a second line may be an alternative follow up approach after curative resection for CRC.
Assuntos
Adenocarcinoma/diagnóstico , Adenocarcinoma/cirurgia , Neoplasias Colorretais/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Colorretais/cirurgia , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Idoso , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Masculino , Indução de RemissãoRESUMO
OBJECTIVES. To report the first case of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in Costa Rica and to analyze the future impact of this technique for the treatment of early gastric cancer in this country. PATIENTS AND METHODS. We present the case of a 67-year-old woman who underwent an upper endoscopy for mild epigastralgia, resulting in a 12 mm non-ulcerated sessile lesion (0-IIa) located in the antrum at the greater curvature. After biopsy confirmation of a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma limited to the mucosa, the patient underwent an endoscopic submucosal dissection for the en-bloc resection of the lesion. RESULTS. The ESD was successfully performed without intra- or postoperative complications such as bleeding and perforation. Operation time was 65 minutes. Histopathological analysis of the en-bloc specimen confirmed the diagnosis of intramucosal well differentiated adenocarcinoma with negative margins. CONCLUSION. ESD is novel alternative for the curative treatment of early gastric cancer, due to its cost-effectiveness, less invasiveness, which provides a better quality of life for the patient than that of conventional open surgery with same long-term results.
Assuntos
Gastroscopia , Neoplasias Gástricas/patologia , Neoplasias Gástricas/cirurgia , Idoso , Costa Rica , Feminino , Mucosa Gástrica/patologia , HumanosRESUMO
OBJETIVO. Reportar el primer caso de disección submucosa endoscópica (DSE) en Costa Rica y analizar el futuro impacto de esta técnica en el abordaje del cáncer gástrico precoz en este país. Pacientes y métodos. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 67 años, quien tras una endoscopia digestiva alta por leve epigastralgia, se le encuentra una lesión elevada sésil no ulcerada (0-IIa) de aproximadamente 12 milímetros localizada en el antro hacia la curvatura mayor. Posterior al resultado histopatológico de adenocarcinoma bien diferenciado limitado a mucosa, la paciente fue sometida a una disección submucosa en una pieza (en-bloc) de la lesión por vía endoscópica. RESULTADOS. La DSE fue realizada sin ninguna complicación, como sangrado o perforación, intra o postoperatoria. El tiempo operatorio fue de 65 minutos. Con el análisis histopatológico del especimen en-bloc se confirmó el diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma intramucoso con márgenes negativos. CONCLUSIÓN. La DSE promete ser una excelente alternativa para el tratamiento curativo del cáncer gástrico precoz, siendo un método más costo-efectivo, y menos invasivo, ofreciendo una mejor calidad de vida al paciente con iguales resultados a largo plazo que la cirugía convencional a cielo abierto.
OBJECTIVES. To report the first case of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in Costa Rica and to analyze the future impact of this technique for the treatment of early gastric cancer in this country. PATIENTS AND METHODS. We present the case of a 67-year-old woman who underwent an upper endoscopy for mild epigastralgia, resulting in a 12 mm non-ulcerated sessile lesion (0-IIa) located in the antrum at the greater curvature. After biopsy confirmation of a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma limited to the mucosa, the patient underwent anendoscopic submucosal dissection for the en-bloc resection of the lesion. RESULTS. The ESD was successfully performed without intra- or postoperative complications such as bleeding and perforation. Operation time was 65 minutes. Histopathological analysis of the en-bloc specimen confirmed the diagnosis of intramucosal well differentiated adenocarcinoma with negative margins. CONCLUSION. ESD is novel alternative for the curative treatment of early gastric cancer, due to its cost-effectiveness, less invasiveness, which provides a better quality of life for the patient than that of conventional open surgery with same long-term results.
Assuntos
Humanos , Feminino , Idoso , Endoscopia Gastrointestinal , Mucosa Gástrica , Neoplasias Gástricas , Costa RicaRESUMO
AIM: To evaluate several risk factors for gastric cancer (GC) in Costa Rican regions with contrasting GC incidence rate (GCIR). METHODS: According to GCIR, 191 Helicobacter pylori (H pylori)-positive patients were classified into groups A (high GCIR, n = 101) and B (low GCIR, n = 90). Human DNA obtained from biopsy specimens was used in the determination of polymorphisms of the genes coding for interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-10 by PCR-RFLP, and IL-1RN by PCR. H pylori DNA extractions obtained from clinical isolates of 83 patients were used for PCR-based genotyping of H pylori cagA, vacA and babA2. Human DNA from gastric biopsies of 52 GC patients was utilized for comparative purposes. RESULTS: Cytokine polymorphisms showed no association with GCIR variability. However, gastric atrophy, intestinal metaplasia and strains with different vacA genotypes in the same stomach (mixed strain infection) were more frequently found in group A than in group B, and cagA and vacA s1b were significantly associated with high GCIR (P = 0.026 and 0.041, respectively). IL-1beta+3954_T/C (OR 2.1, 1.0-4.3), IL-1RN*2/L (OR 3.5, 1.7-7.3) and IL-10-592_C/A (OR 3.2, 1.5-6.8) were individually associated with GC, and a combination of these cytokine polymorphisms with H pylori vacA s1b and m1 further increased the risk (OR 7.2, 1.4-36.4). CONCLUSION: Although a proinflammatory cytokine genetic profile showed an increased risk for developing GC, the characteristics of H pylori infection, in particular the status of cagA and vacA genotype distribution seemed to play a major role in GCIR variability in Costa Rica.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Gástricas/genética , Neoplasias Gástricas/microbiologia , Adulto , Idoso , Antígenos de Bactérias/genética , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Sequência de Bases , Costa Rica/epidemiologia , DNA Bacteriano/genética , Feminino , Genes Bacterianos , Infecções por Helicobacter/complicações , Infecções por Helicobacter/microbiologia , Helicobacter pylori/genética , Helicobacter pylori/isolamento & purificação , Helicobacter pylori/patogenicidade , Humanos , Interleucina-10/genética , Interleucina-1beta/genética , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Polimorfismo Genético , Receptores de Interleucina-1/genética , Fatores de Risco , Neoplasias Gástricas/epidemiologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The detection of gastric premalignant lesions, atrophic gastritis, corpus atrophic gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia, using several potential markers was examined in Costa Rica. Depending on the lesion investigated, from a total of 223 dyspeptic patients, 58 (26.0%), 31 (13.9%), or 23 (10.3%) were histologically diagnosed with atrophic gastritis, corpus atrophic gastritis, or intestinal metaplasia, respectively. Sera were used for the measurement of pepsinogen (PG) and Helicobacter pylori CagA antibody (CagA-ab) levels by ELISA, and human genomic DNAs were used for the genotyping of interleukin (IL)-1beta (-511 and +3954), IL-10 (-1082 and -592), and IL-1RN intron 2 by PCR and RFLP. Multivariate analysis was done adjusting for sex, age, and H. pylori seropositivity. Low PG levels (L-PG; PG I < or = 70 microg/L + PG I/II < or = 3), very low PG levels (VL-PG; PG I < or = 30 microg/L + PG I/II < or = 2), and CagA-ab were individually associated with all premalignant lesions whereas IL-1beta +3954T-carrier and IL-1RN homozygous 2 allele were associated with intestinal metaplasia. VL-PG, for corpus atrophic gastritis detection, was the single marker with the highest combination of test characteristics, sensitivity (77.4%), specificity (80.7%), positive predictive value (39.3%), negative predictive value (95.7%), and seropositivity rate (27.4%), expected to improve after periodic measurements. Combined examinations of VL-PG and CagA-ab improved the specificity (92.7%) and positive predictive value (62.2%), with similar sensitivity (74.2%) and negative predictive value (95.7%). In conclusion, corpus atrophic gastritis detection with periodic measurements of serum PG, alone or in combination with CagA-ab status, to identify high gastric cancer risk, seems to be the method best suited for mass screening in Costa Rica.
Assuntos
Citocinas/genética , Infecções por Helicobacter/complicações , Programas de Rastreamento/métodos , Pepsinogênio A/sangue , Lesões Pré-Cancerosas , Neoplasias Gástricas/prevenção & controle , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Antígenos de Bactérias/imunologia , Proteínas de Bactérias/imunologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Helicobacter pylori , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Polimorfismo Genético , Lesões Pré-Cancerosas/sangue , Lesões Pré-Cancerosas/genética , Lesões Pré-Cancerosas/microbiologia , Valor Preditivo dos TestesRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Associations between Helicobacter pylori gene diversity and gastric cancer have not been reported on in Costa Rica, despite its being one of the countries with the highest gastric cancer incidence and mortality rates in the world. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori cagA and vacA genes and investigate whether it could be correlated with atrophic gastritis (AG) and gastric cancer (GC) in Costa Rica. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genomic DNAs from isolates of 104 patients classified into two groups: non-atrophic gastritis group (n = 68) and atrophic gastritis group (n = 36), were subjected to PCR-based genotyping of cagA and vacA genes and their correlation with clinical outcome was investigated. Total DNA extractions from gastric tissues of 25 H. pylori-infected gastric cancer patients were utilized for comparative purposes. RESULTS: The presence of cagA (75.3%), vacA s1b (75.3%), and vacA m1 (74.2%) was detected, and colonization by strains with different vacA genotypes in the same stomach was found in 9.7% of the patients. Age- and sex-adjusted vacA s1b and vacA m1 were associated with GC while only vacA m1 was significantly associated with AG. A tendency for association between cagA and vacA s1b, and AG was reported. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence status of the cagA and vacA (s1/m1) genes in Costa Rica seems to fall between that found in European/North American and East Asian countries, and both cagA and vacA seem to have clinical relevance in this country.
Assuntos
Antígenos de Bactérias/genética , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Gastrite Atrófica/fisiopatologia , Variação Genética , Infecções por Helicobacter/complicações , Helicobacter pylori/patogenicidade , Neoplasias Gástricas/fisiopatologia , Costa Rica/epidemiologia , Feminino , Gastrite Atrófica/epidemiologia , Gastrite Atrófica/microbiologia , Infecções por Helicobacter/microbiologia , Helicobacter pylori/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Prevalência , Neoplasias Gástricas/epidemiologia , Neoplasias Gástricas/microbiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: We evaluated several risk factors for gastric cancer in Costa Rican regions having contrasting gastric cancer incidence rates, despite the small dimensions of the country. METHODS: A total of 180 dyspeptic patients were classified into two groups according to the gastric cancer incidence (GCI) rate in their Costa Rican region: group A, with a high GCI rate (n = 91) and group B, with a low GCI rate (n = 89). Helicobacter pylori infection was detected by rapid urease test, Gram staining, and histological observation. Antral and corpus specimens were obtained to assess the grade of inflammation, topography of gastritis, gastric atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia by histological examination. Serum CagA antibody was measured by an antigen-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in H. pylori prevalence between groups A (73%) and B (63%); however, serum CagA antibody was more frequently detected in group A (79%) than in group B (54%) [P = 0.02; odds ratio (OR), 2.68]. Among patients under 60 years of age, serum CagA antibody was even more frequently detected in group A (81%) than in group B (49%) (P < 0.01; OR, 4.50). The prevalence of corpus-predominant gastritis, atrophic gastritis, and moderate/severe grades of neutrophilic infiltration was higher in serum CagA antibody-positive patients than in CagA antibody-negative patients (P = 0.003, 0.04, and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Infection with H. pylori possessing the cagA gene is associated with the development of severe gastric damage such as gastric atrophy, leading to gastric cancer, and probably influences the differences in GCI between Costa Rican regions.