USE OF A GASTRIC JUICE-BASED PCR ASSAY TO DETECT HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION IN CULTURE-NEGATIVE PATIENTS

A gastric juice-based PCR assay was compared,vith culture, microscopy, and a rapid urease test with specimens from 114 subjects. The PCR and conventional tests were positive for 76 and 62% of the subjects, resp ectively. The prevalence of gastroduodenal disease and seropositivity for anti-Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin G were similarly high amon g conventional-test-positive and PCR-only-positive subjects compared t o all-negative ones. The PCR assay is recommended to confirm the H. py lori status of culture-negative peptic-ulcer patients.