ABSTRACT
Helicobacter pylori has been detected in many populations and associated with inflammation of gastro duodenal mucosa. Colonization of the stomach by Helicobacter pylori occurs in more than half of human population worldwide. It is the principle cause of chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. To detect neutrophiles in homogenates biopsied gastric mucosa semiquantitatively using rapid leukocyte strip test [leukostix]. A total of 115 patients [74 males, 41 females] referred to The Gastrointestinal Tract Center and Gastroscopy Department of Baghdad Medical City and subjected to gastroscopy were included in this study during the period from November 2004 to May 2005. The sensitivity and specificity of leukostix at the initial examination were 95.8%, 88.23% respectively. The leukostix test, using biopsied samples of gastric mucosa was excellent for quantitative determination of neutrophils in patients infected with H pylori