Real Time PCR assay for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection and clarithromycin susceptibility in biopsy specimens in southern Denmark - Abstract
In this study, we have investigated the current situation of Helicobacter pylori
infection with a real-time PCR assay, our routine culture method, and a rapid urease
test in Southern Denmark. 52 patients who came to gastric endoscopy examination
on the two hospitals in Southern Denmark were taken to the study. All the biopsy
samples were cultured and further examined for antibiotic resistance in our routine
methods. A commercial Real-Time PCR assay was employed to detect H. pylori DNA
from the biopsy samples.15 of the biopsies from one of the hospitals were selected for
investigation using a rapid urease test. Only positive samples were sent for H. pylori
cultivation/PCR.
Of 52 patients who underwent gastric endoscopy and taken biopsy, 10 were
shown culture positive of H. pylori and 20 were shown PCR positive. All culture positive
samples were also PCR positive. Of 15 urease breath test positive patients, 7 were
shown culture positive of H. pylori and 14 were shown PCR positive. Of 10 culture
positive samples, 2 were shown clarithromycin resistant. These findings show that the
Real-Time PCR assay is more sensitive and accurate to detect H. pylori than our routine
culture method and clarithromycin resistant H. pylori has increased in Denmark in last
10 years.