An electron microscopic study of Helicobacter pylori in the surface mucous gel layer.

This study describes the distribution of spiral and coccoid forms of Helicobacter (H.) pylori within the surface mucous gel layer (SMGL) on human gastric mucosae. Gastric mucosae infected with H. pylori were obtained from surgically removed stomachs of 14 cases of gastric cancer. The glycocalyx of the spiral and coccoid forms of H. pylori was examined for specific lectin labeling. Coccoid forms were identified in 11 of these cases (78.6%). The SMGL, which was from 50 to 100 microns in thickness, contained H. pylori throughout its entire thickness. Variously-sized vacuole-like clear areas were present near H. pylori. The glycocalyx on both the spiral and coccoid forms was similar in its staining with the 8 types of lectins tested. However, the staining pattern of the lectins varied among different samples. The numerous fibrillae-like filaments radiated from the surface of the bacteria and appeared to link the bacteria to the surface mucous cells or the surrounding mucus. These fibrillae-like filaments were not specifically stained by the lectin reactions, suggesting absence of sugar molecules.