Abstract Background: Helicobacter pylori is an established pathogen in gastroduodenal diseases and has been increasingly implicated in hepatobiliary pathology. Several studies have identified H. pylori DNA and antigens in gallbladder mucosa, bile, and gallstones, yet the exact nature of its association with gallstone disease remains unclear. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the association between H. pylori infection in gallbladder tissue and bile with gallstone disease in patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study included 100 adult patients with cholelithiasis undergoing elective cholecystectomy. Intraoperative bile was tested using a rapid urease test (RUT). Excised gallbladders were assessed histologically and immunohistochemically for anti- H. pylori antibodies. Clinical profiles, ultrasonography, and endoscopic findings were recorded. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Results: The mean age was 45.7 years; 71% were females. Typical biliary symptoms were present in 61%. RUT positivity was observed in 45% of bile samples, whereas immunohistochemistry detected H. pylori in 28% of gallbladder specimens. A significant association was observed between RUT positivity and gallbladder tissue positivity ( P < 0.001). RUT showed 92.86% sensitivity and 73.61% specificity for gallbladder H. pylori detection. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of patients with gallstone disease demonstrated H. pylori positivity in bile or gallbladder tissue, supporting a possible association between H. pylori infection and gallstone pathogenesis. Further mechanistic and longitudinal studies are warranted.
Dnyanmote et al. (Fri,) studied this question.