['Helicobacter pylori infection is likely to be acquired at an early age. The factors leading to active inflammation in childhood, however, are largely unknown.', 'We determined the CagA status, the best characterized virulence factor of H. pylori, and serum antibodies of IgG and IgA classes to H. pylori in 39 infected children.', 'Mononuclear cell infiltration in the antrum but not in the gastric body was more intense in CagA-positive children than in CagA-negative children. The degree of polymorphonuclear cell infiltration on the other hand was independent of the CagA status. The antibody titers of IgG and IgA classes to H. pylori were higher in CagA-positive than in CagA-negative infections (P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively). IgG antibody titers to H. pylori correlated directly with the density of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cell infiltration in the gastric antrum but not in the gastric body.'] Is gastric inflammation enhanced in children with CagA-positive Helicobacter pylori infection?