Detection of Helicobacter pylori in gastric cancer tissue through histopathology, immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcription-PCR

Future Microbiol. 2020 Aug:15:1131-1137. doi: 10.2217/fmb-2019-0280.

Abstract

Aim:Helicobacter pylori is usually detected based on hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) features, but, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) are more precise in chronic-gastritis. We evaluated the relevance of these tests in Peruvian gastric cancer samples. Materials & methods: We performed and evaluated H-E, IHC staining and RT-PCR in 288 gastric tumors. Slides were independently evaluated by three pathologists. Results:H. pylori was detected in 167/287 through H-E, 140/288 through IHC and 175/288 through RT-PCR, and positive-status were associated (p < 0.001). H. pylori detection by H-E had a good concordance with IHC (kappa index = 0.632) but poor with RT-PCR (kappa index = 0.317). Higher median gene-copies were found in high H. pylori density through H-E or IHC (p < 0.001). Conclusion: H-E evaluation is accurate in gastric cancer, and IHC and RT-PCR can complement its results.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; PCR; eosin; hematoxylin; histopathology; immunohistochemistry; stomach neoplasms.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Helicobacter pylori / classification
  • Helicobacter pylori / genetics
  • Helicobacter pylori / isolation & purification*
  • Histological Techniques / methods*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods*
  • Male
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / microbiology*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*