Factors affecting growth and susceptibility testing of Helicobacter pylori in liquid media

In order to increase the database for in vitro growth and/or susceptibility testing in liquid media, we evaluated the growth of Helicobacter pylori in broth media containing 5% sheep blood. We also compared the effect of bismuth on the growth of H. pylori in broth media containing 10% fetal calf serum with the effect on growth in media containing 0.5% starch. In contrast to the result seen with agar, we found that sheep blood, whether whole or laked, inhibited the growth of H. pylori in broth media. In addition, we found that bismuth inhibited growth in media with starch but that this inhibition was negated in media with serum.