Immunoblot fingerprinting of Campylobacter pylori

One hundred and fifty isolates of Campylobacter pylori were divided into nine groups by immunoblot fingerprinting. All isolates were typable and reproducibility between immunoblots was good provided both antigen and antibody preparation were standardised. Discrimination was a problem as Groups 1 and 2 accounted for 66% of isolates. Recurrence after bismuth treatment was due to indistinguishable strains in five patients and different strains in three patients.