[Function of the gastric immune apparatus in duodenal peptic ulcer patients from the standpoint of age].

Results of immunomorphological studies carried out on 48 stomachs resected for duodenal ulcerous disease are reported. Mucosal inflammation described as "immune" and varying in degree in an age-related manner (being lowest in patients aged over 60) was noted in the pyloric part of the stomach. It is shown that the immune inflammation of gastric mucosa in duodenal ulcer patients is mediated by humoral immunopathological mechanisms involving, essentially, locally produced antibody, although delayed-type reactions are also possibly implicated.