Role of Helicobacter pylori infection in complications from Meckel's diverticulum

Our purpose was to evaluate the role of Helicobacter pylori in complications arising from Meckel's diverticulum in the Jewish and Arab populations of Jerusalem. Diverticular tissues were studied by hematoxylin-eosin, Giemsa, and two immunohistochemical stainings. Three groups of patients were identified: (1) 20 patients in whom Meckel's diverticulum was an incidental finding during laparotomy for other causes; (2) 7 patients with heterotopic gastric mucosa who underwent laparotomy because of bleeding from Meckel's diverticulum--3 were infected with Helicobacter pylori; and (3) 15 patients who underwent operations because of complicated Meckel's diverticulum except for bleeding--7 patients had heterotopic gastric mucosa; only 1 patient had Helicobacter pylori. Demographic, clinical, and pathological findings within the gastric mucosa were not different in patients with and without colonization with Helicobacter pylori. In conclusions, Helicobacter pylori colonizes heterotopic gastric mucosa with Meckel's diverticulum, but probably has a minor role in the complications of Meckel's diverticulum.