AIM: To study whether H pylori are associated with chronic cholecystitis. METHODS: The subjects were divided into three groups: H pylori-infected cholecystitis group, H pylori- negative cholecystitis group and control group. Pathologic changes of the gallbladder were observed by optic and electronic microscopes and the levels of interleukin-1, 6 and 8 (IL-1, 6 and 8) were detected by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Histological evidence of chronic cholecystitis including degeneration, necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, were found in the region where H pylori colonized. Levels of IL-1, 6 and 8 in gallbladder mucosa homogenates were significantly higher in H pylori - infected cholecystitis group than those in H pylori - negative cholecystitis group and control group. CONCLUSION: H pylori infection may be related to cholecystitis. AIM: To study whether H pylori are associated with chronic cholecystitis. METHODS: The subjects were divided into three groups: H pylori-infected cholecystitis group, H pylori- negative cholecystitis group and control group. Pathologic changes of the gallbladder were observed by optic and electronic microscopes and the levels of interleukin-1, 6 and 8 (IL-1, 6 and 8) were detected by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Histological evidence of chronic cholecystitis including degeneration, necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, were found in the region where H pylori colonized. Levels of IL-1, 6 and 8 in gallbladder mucosa homogenates were significantly higher in H pylori - infected cholecystitis group than those in H pylori - negative cholecystitis group and control group. CONCLUSION: H pylori infection may be related to cholecystitis.