Application of 16S rRNA gene sequencing in Helicobacter pylori detection

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Gastroenterology
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Helicobacter pylori is a key component of the stomach microbiome.
• H. pylori infection is associated with gastric inflammation and cancer.
• The bacterium can adopt a difficult-to-detect coccoidal form.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the sensitivity of three diagnostic methods for H. pylori detection.
• To evaluate histological assessment, PCR, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 40 stomach antral biopsy samples.
• Histological assessment using eosin, hematoxylin, and Giemsa staining.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the ureA gene.
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Main Results:

• Histology identified H. pylori in 8 out of 40 patients.
• PCR detected H. pylori in 13 out of 40 patients.
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified H. pylori in 20 out of 40 patients.

Conclusions:

• 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated the highest sensitivity for H. pylori detection in stomach biopsies.
• Standard histological methods may underestimate H. pylori prevalence.
• Molecular methods like 16S rRNA sequencing offer improved diagnostic accuracy for H. pylori.