OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between serum gastrin and Helicobacter pylori status in the antrum and body of gastric mucosa. METHODS Fasting and post-meal serum gastrin levels were studied by radioimmunoassay in 41 patients with dyspepsia. These patients were divided into three groups depending on H pylori status ie H pylori present in both antrum and body; (A + B+; n = 13), present in antrum but not in the body; (A + B-; n = 7) and absent in both antrum and body; (A - B-; n = 21). RESULTS There was no difference in fasting or post meal serum gastrin levels between the groups A + B+ and A - B-. Serum gastrin values 20 and 40 minutes post meal were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the group A + B+ as compared to A + B-. CONCLUSIONS Post meal serum gastrin levels are higher in patients with dyspepsia in whom Helicobacter pylori is present in the antral and body mucosa as compared to those in whom it is present in the antrum only.