Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infects about half of the world’s population and can lead to premalignant lesions and gastric cancer. Updated data about the correlation of histopathological diagnostics with endoscopic diagnostics are scarce. The objective of this study was to identify the concordance between endoscopic and histopathologic findings, with a focus on premalignant lesions. We performed a cross sectional, retrospective study over a 4-year period (2017–2021) on adult patients with dyspeptic symptoms and positive RUT (rapid urease test) in a single hospital centre, with a total of 133 patients infected with H. pylori being included in the study. Statistical associations between endoscopic appearance and histopathological results were found for atrophic antral gastritis (p = 0.001), intestinal metaplasia of the antrum (p = 0.018), gastric polyps (p < 0.001) and gastric corpus cancer (p = 0.012). Females were more likely to be diagnosed through endoscopy with gastric atrophy or intestinal metaplasia (p = 0.031), while chronic atrophic gastritis in corpus was more prevalent in patients older than 65 (p = 0.024). Overall, our study reveals only 21% concordance between Giemsa stain and RUT, highlighting the importance of combining rapid testing with endoscopic and histopathological diagnostic methods for a more accurate early diagnosis and prevention of gastric cancer.

Viscum album L. (mistletoe) is a hemiparasitic plant known for its wide range of bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, and lectins, which contribute to its diverse pharmacological properties. In the present study, we focused on identifying and quantifying the phenolic compounds present in V. album L. leaf extracts and evaluating their potential as inhibitors of key Helicobacter pylori enzymes through both in silico and in vitro approaches. Using molecular docking, we assessed the binding affinity and stability of selected mistletoe’s phytochemicals with specific H. pylori targets, including peptide deformylase, shikimate pathway enzymes, and urease. Additionally, to complement the computational findings, we conducted an in vitro assay to evaluate the anti-urease activity of the crude V. album L. extract against the urease activity of Proteus mirabilis . The extract demonstrated significant inhibitory activity, indicating its potential as a natural urease inhibitor at a concentration of 0.0125 mg/mL, leading to a marked reduction in urease-mediated crystal formation in artificial urine. Furthermore, the extract exhibited broad-spectrum anti virulence effects by suppressing biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli , and inhibiting protease activity in S. aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Together, these findings highlight V. album phenolics as promising dual-action natural inhibitors that not only target essential metabolic enzymes but also attenuate virulence factors critical for pathogenesis. This integrated strategy positions V. album as a strong candidate for the development of plant-based therapeutics against multidrug-resistant pathogens with possible applications in the treatment of H. pylori -related gastrointestinal disorders.

Background: H. pylori is known for its role in gastric carcinogenesis, but its potential association with colorectal neoplasia remains incompletely understood. Objective: We evaluated the relationship between H. pylori-associated inflammatory changes in histopathology and colorectal polyps in a symptomatic tertiary-care cohort. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 139 patients undergoing both gastroscopy and colonoscopy. Gastric and colonic biopsies were evaluated according to the updated Sydney System and WHO histopathologic criteria. Multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusted for age and gender were performed to explore associations between gastric pathology and colorectal neoplastic outcomes. Results: H. pylori-positive patients had a significantly higher prevalence of colorectal polyps compared to uninfected individuals (OR 5.98, 95% CI 2.68-13.35; p <0.001), and the association remained significant after age adjustment (adjusted OR 4.85, 95% CI 2.11-11.16, p <0.001). H. pylori infection was independently associated with colorectal adenomas (adjusted OR 3.31; 95% CI 1.22-9.00; p=0.019). Premalignant gastric changes, including atrophy and intestinal metaplasia, were associated with increased risk of colorectal polyps (OR 4.12; 95% CI 1.12–15.24; p = 0.036). Conclusions: H. pylori-associated gastric inflammatory and premalignant histopathological changes were associated with a higher prevalence of colorectal neoplastic lesions in this tertiary-care cohort. These findings support the hypothesis that cumulative gastric inflammatory burden may be linked to colorectal neoplasia, although larger prospective multicenter studies are required for validation.

Objectives : The eradication of Helicobacter pylori is often challenged by antimicrobial resistance, adherence issues, and regional variation in treatment outcomes. As a hypothesis-generating step, early-stage pharmaceutical prioritization can identify repurposed or bioactive structures for experimental testing. This study compared the docking profiles of niclosamide and berberine against selected H. pylori enzymatic targets, using levofloxacin as a clinically relevant antibacterial comparator. Materials and methods : Blind molecular docking was performed against H. pylori urease, DNA gyrase subunit A, and shikimate kinase. Top-ranked poses were described using Vina-type scores, three-dimensional binding inspection, two-dimensional residue-interaction mapping, and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET)/drug-likeness predictions. Docking scores were treated as ranking scores rather than binding free energies or experimental affinity constants. Results : In this small docking matrix, berberine produced the most negative descriptive mean score, while niclosamide produced one of the two top-ranked urease poses. These score differences do not establish differences in binding affinity, target engagement, or biological potency. Levofloxacin was included as a clinically relevant comparator. Predicted ADMET descriptors highlighted compound-specific questions related to exposure, solubility, and formulation but were not interpreted as evidence of therapeutic suitability. Conclusion : The integrated analysis prioritizes niclosamide and berberine for further anti- H. pylori investigation without demonstrating binding, enzyme inhibition, antibacterial activity, or therapeutic efficacy. The predicted poses and scores, considered alongside existing experimental literature and predicted ADMET descriptors, define testable hypotheses for urease inhibition assays, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination, cytotoxicity testing, and formulation-focused studies.

Background and Clinical Significance: Foreign body ingestion represents an endoscopic emergency, with a risk of organ perforation of up to 35%, where increased prevalence was noticed among people with mental disorders and institutionalized patients. Case Presentation: The patient—male, 23 years old, and institutionalized for sequelae of infantile encephalopathy—was admitted for epigastric pain and hyperemetic syndrome that began 10 days earlier. Endoscopically, 12 hard plastic foreign bodies with sharp edges and sizes of 6–7 cm were identified, followed by extraction that was successfully performed in two sessions using a polypectomy snare and a Foreign Body Hood Protector. Additionally, multiple sessile exulcerated polypoid lesions were observed, measuring around 1–3 cm each, occupying the entire antrum. Histological examination showed inflammatory/regenerative elements, with features of moderate-to-high-grade dysplasia, while a rapid urease test for Helicobacter pylori infection was positive. As a consequence, the patient was administered triple eradication therapy. In addition, the patient presented marked features of hypereosinophilia and splenomegaly. Upon endoscopic reevaluation after 3 years and 8 months, no polyps were present and the H. pylori test was negative, while a complete and spectacular remission of both the hypereosinophilia and splenomegaly was observed. Conclusions: This case illustrates that the development and progression of gastric polyposis may be caused by the coexistence of chronic mucosal irritation from foreign bodies and H. pylori infection, which is a rare association. H. pylori eradication and endoscopic removal of the foreign bodies resulted in significant mucosal improvement.

The importance of H. pylori infection in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, insulin resistance, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis has been shown in earlier studies. Our work aims to assess the risk of developing hepatic fibrosis in patients with or without H. pylori, using noninvasive scores such as the APRI index, the BARD score, or the FIB-4 index, and to evaluate a possible association between the severity of fibrosis scores and histopathology evidence (such as chronic gastritis, gastric atrophy, gastric metaplasia, and gastric dysplasia). Moreover, the risk of preneoplastic stomach lesions was assessed in patients with hepatic fibrosis. The study enrolled a total of 110 patients: 65 were H. pylori-positive and 45 were negative. The differences in BARD, APRI, and FIB-4 indexes between H. pylori-positive and negative cases were assessed using the Mann–Whitney test. Noticeably higher BARD scores and APRI indexes were observed when comparing H. pylori-positive patients with NAFLD to H. pylori-negative ones. In terms of the FIB-4 index, an insignificant increase was observed in H. pylori-positive versus H. pylori-negative patients. Multiple linear regression was performed for the BARD scores and APRI indexes, revealing further significant associations with age and H. pylori status. A substantial correlation was demonstrated between H. pylori and elevated hepatic fibrosis scores in individuals with NAFLD and gastritis, suggested by the complexity features of infection and the intricacies of histology.