Mast cells are functionally involved in inflammation however their role in the stomach is not clear. In this study, number of mast cells in antral gastritis with or without HP infection and any association with duodenal ulcer were investigated.

Consecutive 126 antral gastritis cases were examined. Sections were evaluated for number of mast cells and HP density. Mast cell number was not significantly different in gastritis with or without HP. Also there was no association with mast cells, HP and DU presence.

Besides the high incidence of HP, frequent reinfection and different HP strains; functional overactivity of cellular components rather than the increased number might be responsible for the insignificance of mast cell density in antral gastritis.