Which specimen is used for invasive testing to visualize H. pylori on microscopy or culture?

Which specimen is used for invasive testing to visualize H. pylori on microscopy or culture?

• A. Mucosal biopsy from the antrum or duodenum
• B. Blood sample
• C. Urine sample
• D. Saliva sample

Answer: (A)

To visualize H. pylori on microscopy or culture, you need tissue from the gastric mucosa obtained by endoscopic biopsy. Sampling from the stomach’s mucosa—most often the antrum, and sometimes other regions—provides material for histology with special stains or for culture under appropriate microaerophilic conditions. Noninvasive tests like blood, urine, or saliva cannot show the bacteria directly or be cultured, so they aren’t used when microscopy or culture is the goal.

To visualize H. pylori on microscopy or culture, you need tissue from the gastric mucosa obtained by endoscopic biopsy. Sampling from the stomach’s mucosa—most often the antrum, and sometimes other regions—provides material for histology with special stains or for culture under appropriate microaerophilic conditions. Noninvasive tests like blood, urine, or saliva cannot show the bacteria directly or be cultured, so they aren’t used when microscopy or culture is the goal.