[The detection of Helicobacter pylori by PCR in gastric diseases]

There are several methods for detecting Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection, but all of them have both advantage and disadvantage. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of PCR as a routine screening method for H.pylori infection. We used PCR by identification of bacterial specific 16SrRNA gene. This test was performed on gastric biopsy specimens and gastric aspirate and stomatic mucus from 23 patients in gastric disease, and compared the sensitivity with other methods such as urease and culture test. We could detect H.pylori above 10(3)/ml of bacterial volume by PCR and H.pylori were positive in 96% of all gastric biopsy specimens. PCR was most sensitive and specific method for detecting H.pylori. Thus, PCR was considered to have a possibility of becoming an accurate routine screening method of H.pylori infection.