Detection of Helicobacter pylori in Gastric Biopsy Specimens by Polymerase Chain Reaction / 대한내과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer. Histological examination and culture are considered to be the most specific tests, and rapid urease test and serological test are rapid but less specific tests. 'I he aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay as a procedure for the diagnosis of H, pylori infection in gastric biopsy specimens. METHODS: Biopsy specimens were obtained from the gastric antrum within 2cm from the pyloric channel of 42 patients during endoscopy and submitted for the histological examination, CLO test, and PCR assay. At the same time, another biopsy specimens were obtained from the lesion for the diagnosis of the diseases. Also, blood was sampled for the measure of the value of IgM and IgG. RESULTS: As the result of the histopathological examination, chronic gastritis was diagnosed in 13 patients, gastric ulcer in 11, duodenal ulcer in H, and gastric cancer in 10. By the histological examination of the antrum, H, pylori were found in 77% of chronic gastritis, 55% of gastric ulcer, 75% of duodenal ulcer, and 40% of gastric cancer. As a whole, the bacteria was identified in 62%, 60%, 88%, 90%, 69% of patients by histological test, CLD test, IgM, IgG, and P(;R respectively. The gold standard we used for the presence of bacteria was histological examination. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, ancl negative predictive value for PCR assay were 92%, 69%, 83% and 85% respectively. The results of other test were as follows. CLO test: 89%, 88%, 92%, 82%, IgM:92%, 19%, 65%, 60%, IgG:100%, 25%, 68%, 100%. CONCLUSION: CR is a very sensitive but some- what less specific test for the detection of H. pylori. This is mainly due to the contamination of H. pylori during endoscopy and biopsy. So, minimization of the contamination would make PCR clinically useful test.

Endoscopic Findings of Colonic Tuberculosis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The purpose of this paper is to review the colonoscopic fingings of twenty two patients with colonic tuberculosis which were diagnosed by colonoscopic finding, histopathology, and follow-up observation after antituberculosis chemotherapy at Pusan National University Hospital from January 1992 to December 1994. The results were as follows: 1) The male to female ratio was 1: 1.2, and the average age of the patients was 39.4 years with a slight predominance in women. The age of peak incidence was the 4th decade 40.9%). 2) Abdominal pain(95%), diarrhea(63%), and weight loss(50%) were the most common clinical findings. Others were constipation, melena, and palpable abdominal mass. The location of the pain was right lower abdomen, epigastrium, central abdomen, and left lower abdomen in decreasing order. 3) Hematologic findings showed decrease in hemoglobin level, increase in ESR, and positive CRP(61.5%). The white blood cell counts were mostly normal. 4) The stool examination showed positive occult blood in 7 cases among 18 cases (38.9%). Acid-fast bacteria was observed in stool of one case. 5) On colonoscopy, the lesion sites were ileoeecal valve(75%), ascending colon(72.7 %), terminal ileum(52.6%), cecum(42.9%), transverse colon(31.8%), descending colon (27.3%), sigmoid colon(9%), and rectum(9%) in decreasing order of frequency. Most of them involved ileocecal area. 6) On colonoscopy, the shape of ulcer revealed circular(41%), fusion(36%), and irregular pattern(18%). It found skipped area in 9 cases, pseudopolyp in 8 cases, patency of ileocecal valve in 5 cases, and severe deformity of ileocecal valve in 6 cases. 7) Microscopic finding of biopsy specimens revealed noncaseating granulomatous inflammation in 12 cases, and nonspecific ulcerative inflammation in 10 cases. In conclusion the diagnostic yield may be greatly enhanced by obtaining multiple target biopsies frorn tbe deep portion of the ulcer bed and margins. Judged from the colonoscopic finding and clinical improvement after antituberculosis chemotherapy, more accurate diagnosis can be acquired.