HELICOBACTER PYLORI, CULTURE, GASTRIC BIOPSY

Test Code: HPYL

Test Indications:
Patients undergoing gastroscopy for dyspepsia, gastritis, active peptic ulcer disease (PUD), a past history of PUD (unless previous cure of H. pylori infection has been documented), low-grade gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, a history of endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer (EGC), or currently suspected or history of gastric adenocarcinoma.

Recommendations:
H. pylori cultures should be performed on at least two specimens obtained by gastric biopsy, one from the greater curvature of the mid-body and one from the lesser curvature of the antrum (BMC Gastroenterology. 2012. 12:182).  Corporal biopsies are especially important in patients with significant gastritis.  Biopsies from separate sites should be submitted separately in saline and promptly delivered to the laboratory for culture.  Delays of more than one hour will significantly affect recovery of the organism.

Patient Preparation Instructions:
Accurate patient identification must be made prior to sample collection.
 Samples and requisitions must be labeled/completed in accordance with the Shared Health Specimen Acceptance Policy.

_SH Microbiology - Provincial Requisition (R250-10-06)

A descriptive report will be provided.  If urease activity is detected from the sample, H. pylori will be reported immediately and no culture will be performed.  If the urease test is negative, culture will be performed and results may take up to 7 days to be reported.

Daily

HELICOBACTER PYLORI, ANTIGEN, STOOL - (F)

HELICOBACTER PYLORI, PRESUMPTIVE, RAPID UREASE, GASTRIC BIOPSY (CLO TEST)

Specimen Handling:
Rapid transportation is critical for this specimen type.  Specimens should be received by the testing laboratory (St. Boniface Hospital) no more than one hour after collection.  Ensure specimens are sent using appropriate packaging in accordance with Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulation.