A computer program in QuickBasic for the selection of tests for the identification of Helicobacter pylori

Reliable microbiological tests are needed for the identification of bacteria. A program has been written in QuickBasic to identify such tests by using a formula that is based on Gyllenberg's Sum of C(i) and Gyllenberg's Rank R(i). A total of 139 papers on a newly isolated bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, was used as data source for the coding of test results into an input file. The program outputs a list that aids in the determination of suitable tests for the identification of H. pylori. These tests chosen by the formula were found to be correctly identified as supported by later publications on the bacterium.