Helicobacter pylori - culture

Alternative Names/Synonyms	Identification of Helicobacter pylori
Laboratory	Microbiology
Sub-section	Bacteriology
Specimen Type	○ Gastric aspirate ○ Gastric biopsy tissue

Other Information

○ Susceptibility testing will only be performed in instances of treatment failure by Mayo clinic.

Specimen Requirements (Tube Type)

○ Portagerm transport media (Helicobacter pylori transport medium)
○ Portagerm pylori collection container must be requested through the Department of Microbiology at minimum 1 month prior to scheduled surgery and stored at 2-8˚C.

Collection Requirements

○ Collect specimen using sterile technique and place into Portagerm pylori transport medium. Ensure sample is deeply plunged into the transport medium immediately after collection and close lid tightly.

○ For optimal results, each sample should comprise at least 4 biopsies (two from antrum & two from corpus)

Sample Stability

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery

Referral Laboratory

In-house Susceptibility testing- Mayo Clinic

Routine Turnaround Time

○ Identification: 7 days
○ Susceptibility testing: up to 21 days

Laboratory Contact Information

416-586-4800 extension 4510

Approval Required

Sample Processing / Delivery

○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.

○ Specimens should be stored and transported to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory at room temperature (20-25˚C) within 4 hours after collection.