title: Molecular biology methods for the characterization of Helicobacter pylori infections and their diagnosis.
abstract: Helicobacter pylori infects approximately half of the human population; however, the outcome of infection is affected by many factors, including strain and host genotype characteristics and bacterial density within the stomach. Many molecular methods have been developed to provide information with respect to these characteristics. Methods that provide results within 24 h of endoscopy may be used to develop individualized treatment that is more effective, results in fewer side effects, cuts costs,decreases the number of treatment failures and results in the development of fewer antibiotic-resistant H. pylori strains.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: Joanne L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Simala-Grant
authors.forename: Diane E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D014774:Virulence / Q000235:genetics