Original Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 1997. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 15, 1997; 3(2): 98-100
Published online Jun 15, 1997. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v3.i2.98
Clinical significance of PCR in Helicobacter pylori DNA detection in human gastric disorders
Guo-Ming Xu, Xu-Huai Ji, Zhao-Shen Li, Xiao-Hua Man, Hong-Fu Zhang
Guo-Ming Xu, Xu-Huai Ji, Zhao-Shen Li, Xiao-Hua Man, Hong-Fu Zhang, Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medic al University, Shanghai 200433, China
Guo-Ming Xu, male, was born on March 19, 1939 in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, graduated from Department of Medicine, Shanghai Medical University in 1962, physician in chief, Professor, engaged in the research of gastrointestinal disorders, published over 80 papers and 4 books
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by A grant for the molecular epidemiology of H. pylori infections from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Correspondence to: Dr. Guo-Ming Xu, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medic al University, Shanghai 200433, China
Telephone: +86-21-65560684 Fax: +86-21-65560684
Received: September 11, 1996
Revised: January 31, 1997
Accepted: March 1, 1997
Published online: June 15, 1997
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the clinical significance of the PCR assay in the diagnosis of gastric Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection.

METHODS: Hp infection in gastric antral biopsied specimens was identified by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the specific Hp urease gene fragments (PCR-Hp-DNA) in 154 patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Hp urease gene oligonucleotide primers specific for Hp (16s rRNA) were used. Urease test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti Hp-IgG serum were also used as controls.

RESULTS: PCR-Hp-DNA was detected in 140 (91%) of the 154 patients, where patients 114 and 125 were found infected with Hp by urease test and ELISA Hp IgG, respectively. There was a marked difference in the Hp-positive rate between the PCR-Hp-DNA and the urease test or ELISA-Hp-IgG (P < 0.05). The Hp infection rate increased with age, although a minority of infected people developed signs and symptoms of gastric disorders. Hp infection is closely related to adenocarcinoma in both the gastric antrum as well as the down body of the stomach.

CONCLUSION: PCR is a sensitive and specific method for the detection of Hp in human gastric tissues. Detection of Hp DNA in vivo using this approach might improve the clinical diagnosis and epidemiological research related to H. pylori infection.

Keywords: Peptic ulcer, Gastritis, Stomach neoplasms, Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter infections, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)