Ultrastructural Pathology, 25:159, 2001 Copyright © 2001 Taylor & Francis 0191- 3123/ 01 $12.00 ‡ .00 Readers’ Forum ULTRASTRUCTURAL EVIDENCE OF IN VIVO PHAGOCYTOSIS OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI To the Editor Ultrastructural Pathology Dear Sir: We read with interest the article written by Zu et al. [ 1 ] regarding Helicobacter pylori phagocytosis by neutrophils. The authors provided excellent evidence to conrm that H. pylori underwent phagocytosis by neutrophils in vivo. Although his article preceded the culture of H. pylori, H. W. Steer, in 1975, published probably what are still the best electron micrographs of the organism, including phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leucocytes [ 2 ]. In our experience, H. pylori are easily found within polymorphonuclear leucocytes using Genta stain [ 3 ] or El -Zimaity dual stain [ 4 ] with hematoxylin ( Figure 1 ). We are writing to bring Steer´s article to the attention of readers, because his work sets the stage for H. pylori discovery, but is infrequently read. Hala M. T. El-Zimaity, MD Gastrointestinal Mucosa Pathology Laboratory and Departments of Medicine and Pathology VAMC and Baylor College of Medicine Houston, Texas, USA FIG. 1 Gastric epithelium. H. pylori are seen on the surface epithelium and within in¯ ammatory cells. El-Zimiaty Dual stain, £100. David Y. Graham, MD Gastrointestinal Mucosa Pathology Laboratory and Department of Medicine VAMC and Baylor College of Medicine Houston, Texas, USA REFERENCES 1. Zu Y, Cassai ND, Sidhu GS. Light microscopic and ultrastructural evidence of in vivo phagocytosis of Helicobacter pylori by neutrophils. Ultrastruct Pathol. 2000;24:319± 323. 2. Steer HW. Ultrastructure of cell migration through the gastric epithelium and its relationship to bacteria. J. Clin Pathol. 1975;28:639 ± 646. 3. Genta RM, Robason GO, Graham DY. Simultaneous visualization of Helicobacter pylori and gastric morphology: a new stain. Hum Pathol. 1994;25:221± 226. 4. El Zimaity HMT, Wu J, Akamatsu T, Graham DY. A reliable method for the simultaneous identi cation of H. pylori and gastric metaplasia in the duodenum. J. Clin Pathol. 1999;52:914± 916. Address correspondence to Hala M . T. El- Zimaity, M D, V. A. M edical Center ( 111- D) , Rm. 3A- 320, 2002 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA. E- mail: hzimaity@ bcm.tmc.edu 159
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