[Helicobacter pylori--bacteriologic diagnosis and antibiotic sensitivity tests].

Bacteriological diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori consists of culture from gastric biopsies, gastric juice, faeces and from specimens obtained from oral cavity, antigen stool assay and molecular diagnostic methods. In routine work culture is done from gastric biopsies. Other specimens are usually cultivated for research purposes. Culture constitutes the most specific way to establish the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. One of the major advantages of culture is that it allows sensitivity testing to drugs used in therapy. Culture also allows characterisation of H. pylori. Antigen stoll assay is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure, which should be evaluated. Molecular methods have confirmed their potential for epidemiological research and for the detection of resistant H. pylori, especially for macrolides. The clinical settings, local availability and economic considerations should guide use of bacteriological diagnostic methods.