Real Time PCR assay for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection and clarithromycin susceptibility in biopsy specimens in southern Denmark

In this study, we have investigated the current situation of Helicobacter pylori infection with a real-time PCR assay, our routine culture method, and a rapid urease test in Southern Denmark. 52 patients who came to gastric endoscopy examination on the two hospitals in Southern Denmark were taken to the study. All the biopsy samples were cultured and further examined for antibiotic resistance in our routine methods. A commercial Real-Time PCR assay was employed to detect H. pylori DNA from the biopsy samples.15 of the biopsies from one of the hospitals were selected for investigation using a rapid urease test. Only positive samples were sent for H. pylori cultivation/PCR. Of 52 patients who underwent gastric endoscopy and taken biopsy, 10 were shown culture positive of H. pylori and 20 were shown PCR positive. All culture positive samples were also PCR positive. Of 15 urease breath test positive patients, 7 were shown culture positive of H. pylori and 14 were shown PCR positive. Of 10 culture positive samples, 2 were shown clarithromycin resistant. These findings show that the Real-Time PCR assay is more sensitive and accurate to detect H. pylori than our routine culture method and clarithromycin resistant H. pylori has increased in Denmark in last 10 years.