Compression of three methods of polymerase chain reaction, culture and rapid urease test in diagnosis of Helicobactr pylori in gastric biopsy specimen

Helicobactr pylori (H.pylori) infection is related to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and duodenal ulcer. Thus, identification and treatment of the infection has a considerable importance. The aim of this study was to compare three methods of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), culture and rapid urease test (RUT) in identification of Helicobactr pylori in gastric biopsy specimens.

263 patients (157 woman and 106 man) who suffering from digestive complaints and referred to the endoscopy department of Hajar Hospital in Sharkord (2007, Iran) were participated in the study. Three gastric biopsy samples were collected from each patient. Samples were examined by standard RUT and culture methods for diagnosis of H. pylori. PCR was used for diagnosis of ureC gene.

Out of 263 patients, 36.49%, 9.50%, 13.30%, 9.48% and 5.50% had criteria gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, esophagitis and gastric cancer, respectively. H.pylori infection was diagnosed in 54.37%, 31.94% and 84.79% of the patients by RUT, culture and PCR method, respectively.

Findings of this study indicated that PCR has a greater sensitivity rather than rapid urease test and culture methods for diagnosis of H.pylori.