Campylobacter pylori in patients undergoing gastroscopy at Goroka Base Hospital.

Biopsy specimens were taken from intact areas of antral mucosa in 53 consecutive highlanders presenting for gastroscopy. Spiral or curved bacilli were demonstrated in 31 patients (58%). Campylobacter pylori was cultured from 17 patients (32%). The bacteria were present in 16 (76%) of the 21 patients with gastric ulcer. Histological studies carried out in 25 patients showed gastritis in 21 (84%) and the bacteria were present in all 8 cases of active chronic gastritis and in 5 of 13 cases (38%) of chronic gastritis. These results suggest that infection may play an important role in the aetiology of gastritis and gastric ulcer in Papua New Guinea.