Use of direct Gram stain of stomach biopsy as a rapid screening method for detection of Helicobacter pylori from peptic ulcer and gastritis patients

• Published in: Journal of basic microbiology Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 121 - 125
• Main Authors: Oyedeji, K. S., Smith, S. I., Arigbabu, A. O., Coker, A. O., Ndububa, D. A., Agbakwuru, E. A., Atoyebi, O. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin WILEY-VCH Verlag Berlin GmbH 01-05-2002; WILEY‐VCH Verlag Berlin GmbH
• Subjects: Bacteriological Techniques - methods; Biopsy; Gastric Mucosa - microbiology; Gastric Mucosa - pathology; Gastritis - microbiology; Gastritis - pathology; Gentian Violet; Helicobacter Infections - diagnosis; Helicobacter Infections - microbiology; Helicobacter Infections - pathology; Helicobacter pylori; Helicobacter pylori - growth & development; Helicobacter pylori - isolation & purification; Humans; Peptic Ulcer - microbiology; Peptic Ulcer - pathology; Phenazines; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic - microbiology; Staining and Labeling - methods; Stomach - microbiology; Stomach - pathology
• ISSN: 0233-111X; 1521-4028
• DOI: 10.1002/1521-4028(200205)42:2<121::AID-JOBM121>3.0.CO;2-#

Four hundred and thirty five stomach mucosal biopsies were taken from 145 consecutive patients (3 from each patient) during investigations for dyspepsia in three hospitals in Western Nigeria.
The aim was to determine the best suited rapid screening method to aid fast diagnosis of ulcer/gastritis in this environment, using Gram stain, CLO test kit (urease production test) and culture methods. Eighty‐nine (61.4%) biopsies were positive using Gram stain, 61 (42.1%) using CLO test kit and only 28 (19.3%) using culture. Based on the various limitations of CLO test kits and culture methods, Gram stain was adjudged the best suited rapid method.
The clinical implication of this finding is discussed.