New algorithm to differentiate histochemical types of intestinal metaplasia: G&S2 method

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The classification of intestinal metaplasia by histochemistry methods has been described as the most appropriate. However, current algorithms are not replicable in laboratories due to severe limitations.

Objective

To evaluate a new algorithm to differentiate histochemical types of intestinal metaplasia. Material and Method: Cross-sectional research in which 512 gastric biopsies with intestinal metaplasia (paraffin blocks) were evaluated by a new algorithm using two types of Alcian Blue dyes during February-March of 2020 in the pathological anatomy service of the Maria Auxiliadora Hospital, Lima, Peru. This evaluation consisted of two steps: visualization of acid mucins in the columnar cells of the gastric mucosa and calculation of the weighted Kappa statistic.

Results

Histochemical types of intestinal metaplasia showed as follows: Type I, 398 (77.7%); Type II, 81 (15.8%) and Type III, 33 (6.5%). The weighted Kappa statistic was 0.79 (p<0.001), rated as an important or good concordance.

Conclusion

This new algorithm demonstrated it was useful and capable of identifying and differentiating the histochemical types of intestinal metaplasia, in addition to having statistical reliability.

gastric mucins; alcian blue; gastric mucosa