CONDITIONS OF THE MICROSCOPIC DIAGNOSIS O F HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION ON GASTRIC BIOPSY IN FRANCE

The histological study of gastric biopsies is very much used for the d iagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. A survey was performed amon g the members of the ''Club d'Histopathologie Digestive et Hepatique'' on the conditions of this diagnosis. The diagnosis is pet-formed syst ematically by 91% of the pathologists. A special stain is used in 72% of cases (most often Giemsa), and immunohistochemistry is very rarely used. The classifications of gastritis that are frequently used are th e Sydney system and the Whitehead's classification. In conclusion, it appears that the methods in use in France for the histological diagnos is of Helicobacter pylori infection are relatively homogeneous.