The Reliability of Urease Tests, Histology and Culture in the Diagnosis of Campylobacter pylori Infection

Is routine histological evaluation an accurate test for Helicobacter pylori infection?

“…In fact, it is well known that antisecretory treatment and previous eradicating regimens may reduce the sensitivity of these tests 12 , . 18 , 19 …”

Analysis of eight different methods for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with dyspepsia

“…Culture, although labor‐intensive because of the fastidious nature of the organism, is a good detection method with the advantage of specifically detecting H. pylori and making stains available for susceptibility testing. However, no single test has yet proved accurate enough to be used as the ‘gold standard’ test in clinical settings 10 …”

Helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcers: the present position.

“…Sensitivity may be increased by examining a further biopsy specimen histologically for H pylori, which compares favourably with the more technically demanding bacterial culture. 55 The latter method has the advantage ofindicating antibiotic sensitivity, although it is still not clear how best to treat the metronidazole resistant strains, which are present in about 15% of British patients with H pylon infection. Retesting should be performed about four weeks after the end of the eradication regimen because of the tendency of H pyloni to 'lurk and revive'.556 The urea breath tests are particularly good for confirming eradication because they sample the whole stomach.…”