PCR for Diagnosing Helicobacter pylori Infection in Moroccan Patients: Comparison with ELISA and Histopathological Tests

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a real public health problem. In Morocco, 70 % of the population are infected by this pathogen. Several techniques are used for the detection of H. pylori infection. In Morocco, histopathological examination and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are the most commonly used tests. Our aim is to compare the sensitivity and the specificity of these two techniques with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which is not used currently in Morocco. In this study, biopsies of 60 chronic gastritis patients were used for histopathological examination and for the detection of ureA gene by Nested-PCR. Blood samples were used for ELISA. H. pylori was detected in 57 (95 %) patients by histopathological examination, 60 (100 %) by PCR and 46 (77 %) by ELISA. Sensitivity and specificity are calculated using Histopathological examination and PCR findings as gold standard. ELISA test had the lowest specificity (79 %), followed by histopathological examination (95 %), whereas PCR had the highest specificity (100 %). The use of PCR test showed a good result in term of sensitivity and detection. Then, it should be recommended to use PCR for routine diagnosis of H. pylori infection.