[The possibility of Helicobacter pylori being present in the resting state in the gastric mucosa of peptic acid patients after treatment].

AIM: To develop experimental approaches to detection of inactive forms of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in patients treated for gastroduodenal ulcer, to try the role of such HP forms in emergence of ulcer recurrences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Examination for HP was made using a fast CLO test, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), histologically. A simple quantitative spectrophotometric test for urease activity in biopsies of gastric mucosa is proposed. RESULTS: Antibacterial and other treatments led to a significant decline in urease activity dependent on the amount of the agents in the biopsies. PCR found HP in 48% of patients after the treatment. In these cases HP may be in dormancy. This state is not safe because of possible HP activation eventuating in ulcer recurrence. CONCLUSION: PCR can be used for prediction of ulcer recurrence as it is sensitive to HP when wide-spread urease test gives negative results.