Diagnostic efficacy of different techniques for detection of Helicobacter.pylori in upper Gastrointestinal tract pathologies

Abstract

AIM

Helicobacter pylori infection is very common worldwide and causes a wide spectrum of diseases. A reliable diagnosis is crucial for patients with H. pylori-related diseases. Hence comes the role of detection of H.pylori using various invasive and noninvasive methods.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a study on 176 patients suffering from various gastrointestinal complaints who were screened for H. pylori infection using invasive tests like rapid urease test (RUT) on fresh biopsy and histological examination using H & E, Giemsa and polyclonal H.pylori antibody.

RESULTS

Results  were derived in terms of sensitivity and specificity with each test and compared. Rapid urease test gave positivity in 40 cases with Sensitivity and Specificity of 87% and 100% respectively while H& E showed sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 98%.Giemsa was positive in maximum number of cases with no false negative hence Sensitivity and Specificity calculated is 100% and 98% respectively. Immunohistochemistry with polyclonal H.pylori antibody gave no false positive or false negative result leading to  highest rate of sensitivity and specificity of 100%  each.

CONCLUSION

 Our  study concluded that Giemsa and Polyclonal H.pylori antibody  both have a very high sensitivity in detecting H.pylori. While giemsa is inexpensive, less time consuming and is sufficient for routine diagnosis of the bacteria the latter has maximum specificity and differentiates H.pylori from its other morphological mimickers.

Key words- Helicobacter.pylori,Detection,Giemsa,Immunohistochemistry.