Helicobacter pylori is one of the most important etiological agents causing chronic gastritis. Its diagnosis is established on endoscopic examination including histological analysis of bioptic specimens of gastric body and antrum mucosa, determination of Helicobacter pylori infection and serological level of pepsinogen. The above mentioned examinations were performed in a group of 67 patients suffering from Helicobacter pylori positive chronic gastritis. The histological analysis revealed chronic gastritis with partial and/or multifocal glandular atrophy in 41.8% of the patients. The mean value of serological pepsinogen I level was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than that found in patients with chronic gastritis without histological signs of atrophy.

        Key words: Helicobacter pylori - chronic gastritis - pepsinogen I