Gastric Biopsy (H.pylori culture ONLY)
Code:
HPBIOPSY
Sample Type:
Minimum of 2 small biopsy samples placed on sterile biopsy paper in a single universal containing sterile saline.
Send to laboratory within 6 hours from collection. If delays likely, refrigerate at 4 °C
Ref Ranges/Units:
N/A
Turnaround:
10-15 days
Special Precautions/Comments:
Interferences: Ensure samples are sent to the laboratory within 6 hours from collection. Delays in processing can result in poor recovery of any organism.
Method: Cultures are monitored for up to 10 days. Any positive cultures are subjected to subculture and appropriate susceptibility testing. Calibration: N/A. EQA scheme: N/A. IQC: Control strain – Helicobacter pylori NCTC 11637
Interpretation: Where H. pylori is isolated (positive), identification will be confirmed by MALDI-ToF MS. Where a MALDI is unavailable, H. pylori identification will be confirmed by biochemical testing. Antibiotic susceptibility testing using EUCAST breakpoints will be provided where appropriate. If H. pylori is not present following 10 days incubation then the test will be reported as ‘Helicobacter pylori NOT isolated’ (negative).
Additional Information:
Background information: Helicobacter pylori is a bacterial organism that infect the human gut. It is a known cause of gastritis and peptic ulcers, and is associated with the development of gastric cancers. Eradication therapy using a combination of antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors and antacid preparations are useful in alleviating gastric symptoms and reducing the risks of associated disease.
Gastric biopsy is the specimen of choice for the culture of H. pylori. Culture of the organism is the most specific method and offers opportunity for conventional antimicrobial susceptibility testing. This is important in predicting and evaluating the efficacy of treatment, and in identifying re-infections. With the adoption of the ‘test and treat’ strategy as recommended by NICE, the main rationale for obtaining a biopsy for culture is to establish the susceptibility of the isolate.
South of Tyne & Wear Pathology Centre
