[Cytologic characteristics of the ulcerous phase of peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum].

Fifty-four patients with peptic ulcer were examined for the cellular composition in the zone of ulcer. The cytologic alterations consisted in the predominance of neutrophilic leukocytes at the disease onset, followed by lymphoplasmacytic-leukocytic and primarily lymphoplasmacytic and macrophagal infiltration. The cellular alterations point to the presence of immune inflammation in the ulcerous zone. This confirms the involvement of the immune mechanisms in ulcer formation.