Value of H and E and giemsa stains in histological identification of helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsies

ABSTRACT

To determine the frequency of H. Pylori infection and compare the results of H and E and Giemsa stained sections of gastric biopsies. This prospective study conducted in histopathology department at Sheikh Zayed Hospital Lahore from Aug 2008 to Dec 2008 included 88 patients with history of dyspepsia and endoscopic features of gastritis. H and E and Giemsa stained sections of the biopsies were examined microscopically. Giemsa stain was taken as gold standard and the sensitivity, specificity, predictive value [positive and negative] and diagnostic accuracy of H and E were computed. In our study group of 48 males and 40 females [total 88] with ages ranging from 18 to 75 years [Mean +/- SD 39.13 +/- 11.27], H. Pylori was present in 50 [56.81%] cases and absent in 38 [43.19%] cases on Giemsa stain [gold standard]. H and E stain revealed 42 true positive, 5 were false positive, 33 true negative and 8 false negative cases. H and E stain has sensitivity of 84%, specificity 86.84%, positive predictive value 89.36% and negative predictive value of 80.48%. The overall diagnostic accuracy [efficacy] of H and E stain was 85.22%. H and E stained sections of gastric biopsies reveal tissue morphology and disease status. When combined with Giemsa stain, H and E stain is reliable for diagnosis of H. Pylori infection