PCR and RFLP analysis for identification and typing of Helicobacter pyloristrains isolated from gastric biopsy specimens

Helicobacter pylori (H, pylori) infection is the most common gastrointestin al tract infection which plays an important role in the ethiopathogenesis o f peptic ulcer and gastritis. In recent years, molecular biological methods have been presented for detection of H. pylori in addition to histopatholo gical and microbiological methods. Among these methods, polymerase chain re action (PCR) and following restriction fragment length polymorphism analyse s (RFLP) are highly sensitive methods for diagnosis and follow up of patien ts. In this present study our aim was to amplify H. pylori urease A and B g enes by PCR and perform RFLP analysis. Gastric biopsy specimens from 17 fem ale and 18 male patients were included in the study. Amplified PCR products were subjected to RFLP analysis and typing of the bacteria in pre and post treatment specimens were performed. H. pylori urease A and B gene amplifica tion was observed in 32 pretreatment samples and in 8 of 21 posttreatment s pecimens. As a result, PCR is a sensitive method to determine the H. pylori infection. RFLP, which is another effective method in order to demonstrate the reinfection of H. pylori.