Occurrence of Candida in gastric ulcers. Significance for the healing process.

In 42 consecutive adult patients with benign gastric ulcers, endoscopic biopsy specimens were examined histologically for infiltration with Candida albicans before the patients entered a double-blind trial of either cimetidine or placebo. Fifteen cases of candidal infiltration were found, giving an overall incidence of 36%. Repeated endoscopy after 6 wk showed complete ulcer healing in 9 of 15 patients with Candida-infiltrated ulcers, compared with 20 of 27 patients with no infiltration. It is concluded that the occurrence of Candida in benign gastric ulcers has no influence on the healing process.