Objective To examine the relation between Barrett’s oesophagus and Helicobacter pylori infection.   Methods A total of 206 patients were enrolled

including those affected by Barrett’s esophagus (BE

n=106)

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD

n=50)

and control subjects (n=50) free of localized lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The prevalence of Hp infection was determined by rapid urease test and WarthinStarry staining.   Results The prevalence of Hp infection in the patients with GERD (10/50)

BE (16/106) and BE with intestinal metaplasia (6/36) was higher than that in control subjects (5/50)

but no significant difference was found among groups (P0.05). The prevalence of Hp infection in antrum was significantly lower in patients with GERD (16/50) and BE (33/106) than that in control subjects (30/50

P0.01).   Conclusion Hp may have protective effect for GERD and Barrett oesophagus.