Comparison of touch cytology and histology in diagnosing helicobacter pylori infection in gastric biopsy

Objective: To compare the Touch cytology with histology method for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection.

Methodology: Dyspeptic patients who were candidate for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were included in the study. Those using Proton Pump Inhibitors, Bismuth compounds or antibiotics over the last month or had prior gastric surgery were excluded. Imprints and histological samples were taken from gastric antrum and stained by Giemsa for HP detection. HP infection was diagnosed if the organism was present in either method.

Results: One hundred and fifty patients were included. The Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive Predictive Value and Negative Predictive Value in touch cytology method were 95.65%, 100%, 100%, and 66%, and in histology method were 84.78%, 100%, 100% and 36.36% respectively. The sensitivity of touch cytology was more than histology method. (P value < 0.001).

Conclusion: It is better to use cytology to diagnose HP infection when the histological information may not be necessary.