Real-Time PCR Improves Helicobacter pylori Detection in Patients with Peptic Ulcer Bleeding
2011

Improving Detection of Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcer Bleeding

Sample size: 69 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Ramírez-Lázaro María José, Lario Sergio, Casalots Alex, Sanfeliu Esther, Boix Loreto, García-Iglesias Pilar, Sánchez-Delgado Jordi, Montserrat Antònia, Bella-Cueto Maria Rosa, Gallach Marta, Sanfeliu Isabel, Segura Ferran, Calvet Xavier

Primary Institution: Hospital de Sabadell, Institut Universitari Parc Taulí, Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sabadell, Spain

Hypothesis

Can immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR improve the sensitivity of detecting H. pylori in biopsy specimens from patients with peptic ulcer bleeding?

Conclusion

Real-time PCR improves the detection of H. pylori infection in histology-negative biopsy samples obtained during peptic ulcer bleeding episodes.

Supporting Evidence

  • All controls were positive for H. pylori on all PCR assays and immunohistochemical staining.
  • Real-time PCR was positive for 16S rRNA in 48% of patients.
  • Immunohistochemical analysis detected the infection in only 6% of patients.

Takeaway

This study shows that a special test called PCR can find a germ called H. pylori in stomach samples better than regular tests, especially when the regular tests say the germ isn't there.

Methodology

The study analyzed biopsy specimens using immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR for H. pylori detection.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the retrospective nature of the study and the selection of patients.

Limitations

The study only evaluated antral biopsy specimens and had a limited sample size.

Participant Demographics

52 men and 17 women; mean age 61.5 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Confidence Interval

95% CI

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0020009

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