Research Article
Aml El-Sayed Abdou, Ahmed Mora
Abstract
Background: Bacterial infection was described as one of the precipitating factor in cholesterol gallstone formation and many studies have confirmed the presence of Helicobacter species in the hepatobiliary system. The aim of our study was to detect the presence of Helicobacter species in bile juice by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in patients presented with calcular obstructive jaundice. Methods: Bile samples from 75 patients presented with calcular obstructive jaundice were obtained during Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancriatography (ERCP) and subjected to nested PCR for H. pylori DNA detection and bacterial culture. Gastric biopsies were also taken for H. pylori rapid urease and culture. Results: Helicobacter DNA was detected in 11 out of 75 bile sample by nested PCR, 0 were positive by bile culture, 30 were positive by rapid urease test from gastric biopsy and 5 were positive by gastric biopsy culture. Conclusion: H. pylori was found in the biliary system, in patients with calcular obstructive jaundice suggesting that these bacteria may be of etiological importance in gallstone formation.