Does Helicobacter Pylori have a role in Cholesteatoma?

Does Helicobacter Pylori have a role in Cholesteatoma?

Background: The pathophysiology of cholesteatoma is unclear but chronic inflammation seems a common factor. Helicobacter pylori can colonize nasopharynx and middle ear.

Objective: To investigate whether H. pylori may have a role in cholesteatoma.

Study Design: Age-stratified, cholesteatoma evaluation for the presence of H. pylori.

Method: 30 cholesteatoma biopsies were selected for review: 11 were age 8 months – 5 years, 11 were age 6-10 years, and 8 were 11-15 years. All samples had to have cholesteatoma matrix, capsule and surrounding connective tissue. The slides were prepared using hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) stains and immunohistochemistry (IHC) stains for H. pylori using Anti- Helicobacter pylori clone (SP48). All the slides were evaluated for H. pylori by an experienced pathologist. All cholesteatoma specimen did not have H. pylori (0% incidence of H. pylori).

Results: H. pylori organisms were not seen on any of the specimens.

Conclusions: Our preliminary data does not suggest a role of H. pylori in the etiology of cholesteatoma.