Comparative evaluation of selective and nonselective media for primary isolation of Helicobacter pylori from gastric biopsies.

Background: In this study, we compared and evaluated the efficacy of five culture media for the primary isolation of Helicobacter pylori from gastric biopsies.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1,174 biopsies (antrum and corpus) taken from 587 patients were plated in parallel on two selective media--Skirrow's medium and brain-heart infusion (BHI) agar supplemented with 10% sheep blood, polymyxin B, vancomycin, trimethoprim, and amphotericin B (HPA medium), and on three nonselective media--chocolate agar with Isovitalex, Columbia blood agar, and BHI-10% sheep blood agar.

Results: An isolation rate of 57.

[Clinical-endoscopic-histologic correlations in gastric pathology. II].

Some authors do not accept as valid the clinical diagnosis of gastritis, due to the latter being mainly an anatomical-pathological term. Others, however, argue that such diagnosis may be establish through a correct anamnesis. A cross-sectional study of a hundred and fifty patients undergoing fibrosgastroscopy with antral biopsy and anamnesis, as well as clinical exploration in accordance with specific protocols, has been conducted.

[Clinical-endoscopic-histological correlations in gastric pathology. I].

We have conducted a blind cross-selectional study with 150 consecutive patients undergoing fibrogastroscopy and biopsy of the antral mucosa. The endoscopic sensitivity for the diagnosis of the several types of gastritis, is low (63%), although this technique is highly sensitive for other types of pathology. Consequently, we conclude that, in all endoscopic explorations, at least one biopsy of the antral mucosa must be done, given the anatomopathological definition of gastritis.