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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 28, 2014; 20(36): 12847-12859
Published online Sep 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i36.12847
Published online Sep 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i36.12847
Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori: What should be the gold standard?
Saurabh Kumar Patel, Chandra Bhan Pratap, Anil Kumar Gulati, Gopal Nath, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP 221005, India
Ashok Kumar Jain, Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP 221005, India
Author contributions: Nath G conceived the topic; Nath G and Patel SK reviewed the literature, and prepared the initial manuscript; Jain AK and Gulati AK contributed by critical analysis of the article and Pratap CB had contributed by his inputs at the time of bringing out the final version of the review article.
Supported by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India in the form of Senior Research Fellowship awarded to Patel SK
Correspondence to: Gopal Nath, MD, PhD, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Rd, Varanasi, UP 221005, India. gopalnath@gmail.com
Telephone: +91-542-6703484 Fax: +91-542-2367568
Received: November 21, 2013
Revised: February 10, 2014
Accepted: June 26, 2014
Published online: September 28, 2014
Processing time: 314 Days and 2 Hours
Revised: February 10, 2014
Accepted: June 26, 2014
Published online: September 28, 2014
Processing time: 314 Days and 2 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Several detection methods for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) have been developed. Noninvasive tests such as serology, 13C Urea breath test and stool antigen tests are usually preferred. Invasive test involving histology, culture, rapid urease test and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are also available. Each one of them has been associated with one or more advantages or disadvantages. However, PCR is the best method to detect H. pylori in gastric mucosa, gastric juice, saliva, dental plaques and environmental specimens. PCR based diagnosis may be considered as gold standard provided that H. pylori specific primers targeting at least more than one conserved genes are used.