Which organism is commonly associated with gastric MALT lymphoma?

Which organism is commonly associated with gastric MALT lymphoma?

• A. Helicobacter pylori
• B. Borrelia burgdorferi
• C. Chlamydia psittaci
• D. Staphylococcus aureus

Answer: (A)

Gastric MALT lymphoma arises when chronic antigen stimulation in the stomach leads to the development of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue and the transformation of marginal-zone B cells. The classic and most strongly linked trigger is Helicobacter pylori infection, which causes ongoing gastritis and lymphoid proliferation; eradicating H. pylori can cause lymphoma regression in many early cases, underscoring its causal role. The other organisms are associated with MALT lymphomas in sites other than the stomach—for example, Chlamydia psittaci with ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma and Borrelia burgdorferi involvement in certain extranodal lymphomas—so they’re not the typical gastric association. Staphylococcus aureus does not have a recognized role in gastric MALT lymphoma.

Gastric MALT lymphoma arises when chronic antigen stimulation in the stomach leads to the development of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue and the transformation of marginal-zone B cells. The classic and most strongly linked trigger is Helicobacter pylori infection, which causes ongoing gastritis and lymphoid proliferation; eradicating H. pylori can cause lymphoma regression in many early cases, underscoring its causal role. The other organisms are associated with MALT lymphomas in sites other than the stomach—for example, Chlamydia psittaci with ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma and Borrelia burgdorferi involvement in certain extranodal lymphomas—so they’re not the typical gastric association. Staphylococcus aureus does not have a recognized role in gastric MALT lymphoma.