title: Evaluation of a selective transport medium for gastric biopsy specimens to be cultured for Helicobacter pylori.
abstract: Since the means of culturing Helicobacter pylori may not be available in some laboratories, prolonging the survival of this organism during transportation is a major concern in terms of improving detection rates. A selective transport medium was evaluated for the preservation of H. pylori from 254 gastric biopsy specimens collected from a rural area in China where culturing is not feasible. Gastric biopsy specimens were inoculated in sterile broth consisting of brain heart infusion (BHI) broth, horse serum, and yeast extract supplemented with vancomycin, amphotericin B, and nalidixic acid (VAN). Of the 254 biopsy specimens, 238 were identified by histology to have H. pylori infection. Total rates of recovery of H. pylori from the H. pylori-positive gastric biopsy specimens stored in the BHI-VAN broth ranged from 76 to 46% after storage of specimens for 5 to 9 days. In conclusion, the selective medium is useful for prolonging the survival of H. pylori in gastric biopsy specimens for which immediate culture is not feasible.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Siu
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D002681:China; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003470:Culture Media; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health; D013270:Stomach / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D010406:Penicillins; D000658:Amoxicillin; D017291:Clarithromycin; D009853:Omeprazole