The number of antral gastrin cells (G cells) and their immunostaining pattern was evaluated in 28 gastro-scopic biopsies without evidence of Helicobacter pylori organisms (HPOS) as a control group, and 42 gastro-scopic biopsies with evidence of HPOs as a test group. There was no significant difference in number of G cells per gland in relation to the pres­ence or absence of HPOs, degree of inflammation, type of gastritis and ac­tivity of inflammation (P>0.05). The intensity of immunostaining of G cells was stronger in association with HPOs positive group (++) than the negative group (+). The intensity of G cell staining was not affected by the severity of infection of HPOs. The in­tensity of immunostaining of G cells was higher in active than quiescent
gastritis especially when associated with HPOs. The degree of gastritis has a direct effect on the intensity of immunostaining of G cells especially when associated with HPOs.