Specimen Requirements

Patient should not have taken antibiotics or bismuth salts several weeks prior to endoscopy. When these are used in suboptimal therapy, they can suppress but not eliminate the Helicobacter pylori organisms. Patient should not have received proton pump inhibitor omeprazole prior to test as this drug has been shown to have a bacteriocidal effect on the organism.

1. Due to the patchy nature of Helicobacter pylori infection, it is generally recommended that 2 specimens be obtained from each patient:
   1. One from immediate prepyloric area 
   2. Second from the proximal antrum on the lesser curvature.
2. Biopsies should be obtained from normal appearing mucosa as eroded or ulcerated mucosa may have fewer organisms.
3. Obtain a 2 mm to 3 mm diameter gastric mucosal biopsy.
4. After collection, place specimen immediately into agar gel containing urea (Hp-fast Kit supplied).
5. Transport immediately to laboratory.