The comparison of histological scores between <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> Western-type <i>cagA</i> strains isolated from the South and <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> East Asian-type <i>cagA</i> strains isolated from the North.

<p>Scores for activity and inflammation in the antrum and atrophy in the corpus of the Western-type <i>cagA</i> Southern isolate (n = 16) were significantly higher than those of the East Asian-type <i>cagA</i> strains isolated from the North (n = 25)(P <0.05, Mann-Whitney U test).</p

EPIYA and EPIYA-like sequence type.

<p>EPIYA and EPIYA-like sequence type.</p

Histological scores of <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>-infected groups by region.

<p>Patients who were living in the South (n = 24) had significantly higher activity in the antrum, in addition to higher inflammation and atrophy scores in both the antrum and corpus, than did those who were living in the North (n = 69)(P <0.05, Mann-Whitney U test).</p

Distribution of <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> genotypes.

<p>Distribution of <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> genotypes.</p

Histological scores of <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> carrying Western-type <i>cagA</i> by region.

<p>Scores for antrum activity and inflammation, in addition to atrophy in the corpus were significantly higher in patients who were from the South (n = 16) than in those who were from the North (n = 26)(P <0.05, Mann-Whitney U test).</p

Histological scores by <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection and <i>cagA</i> genotype.

<p>Histological scores by <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection and <i>cagA</i> genotype.</p

The locations in this study.

<p>Ranong province (black star; Muang Ranong) and Chiang Rai province (black circle: Chiang Saen; white circle: Chiang Kong) are located in Southern and Northern Thailand, respectively. Ranong province is along the West coast of Andaman Sea and share a border with Myanmar, while Chiang Rai is mountainous area that have Mekong River separating Thailand with Myanmar and Laos.</p

Demographics, sanitation, and regions.

<p>Demographics, sanitation, and regions.</p

The CM motif of Western-type and East Asian-type <i>cagA</i>.

<p>The CM motif of Western-type and East Asian-type <i>cagA</i>.</p

Association of demographics and sanitation levels with <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection status.

<p>Association of demographics and sanitation levels with <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection status.</p