Ex vivo visualization of Helicobacter pylori using an endocytoscopic probe.
Observation of microorganisms by endoscopy has been technically difficult. In this study, we tried to visualize bacteria during endoscopic examination to provide a powerful tool for a diagnosis of gastrointestinal infection. We observed the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, cultured ex vivo, using a novel ultra-high "magnified endoscopy" system ("endocytoscopy" prototype, Olympus Medical Systems). Cultures were prepared from gastric mucus obtained from three gastric ulcer patients. H. pylori in the supernatant of the culture medium were observed directly by endocytoscopy. Staphylococcus aureus and red blood cells were used as controls. H. pylori in the culture medium were observed directly by endocytoscopy, and recorded using a video recorder. Live, moving bacteria can be visualized and recorded ex vivo using this new "endocytoscopy" technology.
Kimura
Satoshi
S
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital, Yokohama, Japan. sdkimura@med.showa-u.ac.jp
Inoue
Haruhiro
H
Sato
Yoshitaka
Y
Aoyama
Yoshihisa
Y
Shimojima
Masahiro
M
Masuyama
Tomoko
T
Kudo
Shin-ei
SE
D003558:Cystoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005756:Gastritis / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology