Identification of Campylobacter pylori by endoscopic brush cytology

Abstract

To investigate the value of Papanicolaou-stained endoscopic brush samples in the diagnosis of Campylobacter pylori infection of the upper gastrointestinal tract, 138 brush and biopsy samples from the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, taken concomitantly, were reviewed retrospectively. In 35 cases, Campylobacter-like organisms (CLOs) were found in both cytology and biopsy samples. In 15 cases, CLOs were seen in biopsy material only, and in 8 cases, CLOs were found in cytology material only. CLOs were found in 49% of the gastric specimens and 33% of the Barrett's esophagus specimens by histologic or cytologic examination or by both methods. CLOs were found by at least one method in 64% of the gastric samples with active gastritis 40% with borderline gastritis, 15% without gastritis, and in 64% with adenocarcinoma. Cytologic examination of endoscopic brush samples is a valuable technique for the diagnosis of gastric Campylobacter infections and can be performed easily in cytopathology laboratories.

Immune Evasion by Helicobacter pylori: Gastric Spiral Bacteria Lack Surface Immunoglobulin Deposition and Reactivity with Homologous Antibodies

“…In H. pylori-negative control patients, bacteria occasionally were identified by using acridine orange, but the bacterial forms were either rods or cocci alone or in clusters, and typical spiral forms were not seen. These results confirm earlier reports that acridine orange staining is a simple and sensitive method morphologically to identify H. pylori in gastric specimens [12,13].…”

Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: a Cytopathologist’s Perspective

“…The Giemsa stain or DQ stain readily stains this tiny (1-to 3-m), spiral-shaped organism (38,174). The organism is closely associated with mucin, often with the long axis of the bacteria oriented parallel to the mucus strands (135). H. pylori can also be visualized with PAP, Gram, Warthin-Starry, and Dieterle stains (39,110).…”

A Review of Diagnostic Techniques for <i>Helicobacter pylori </i>Infection

“…Some researchers use brush cytology followed by the Papanicolaou staining technique to diagnose H. pylori infection [38,39], The organisms are readily identifiable in the Papanicolaoustained imprints of gastric mucosa [40]. How ever, brushings involve disruption of the epi thelium.…”