Helicobacter pylori culture from a positive, liquid-based urease test for routine clinical use: a cost-effective approach

Background. The aim of our study was to test the feasibility of culturing Helicobacter pylori directly from biopsies aimed for rapid urease test in routine clinical practice.
Materials and Methods. In 260 consecutive patients referred for gastroscopy because of dyspepsia one antral biopsy was routinely used for our "in house" rapid urease test (RUT). Positive biopsies were placed in a transport medium and sent to the laboratory. The biopsies were cultured and incubated at 37°C for 5–7 days. H. pylori was identified and routinely tested for antimicrobial resistance by using the E -test.
Results. In 118 out of 260 patients (45%) the urease test turned positive and the growth of H. pylori was sufficient to allow testing of antimicrobial resistance.
Conclusion. H. pylori could be cultured from almost all positive RUT specimens. A liquid RUT is thus more suitable for culture, saving additional biopsies.