Cytologic brushing as a simple and rapid method in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Objective: To assess broad antral cytologic brushing as an alternative approach for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori gastric colonization as compared to histology.
Study Design: Multiple gastric biopsies were taken from the antrum of 117 patients with an endoscopic appearance compatible with antral gastritis. Broad antral brushing was also obtained, and smears were stained with Papanicolaou stain.
Results: Chronic gastritis was diagnosed histopathologically in 93 patients. H pylori was identified in 115 cytologic smears. Cytologic smears from 97 patients with H pylori on biopsy specimens contained the organisms. Only two poor-quality cytologic smears with no H pylori had the organisms on biopsy specimens. In 18 patients, H pylori was identified on the cytologic smears and not on the biopsy specimens.
Conclusion: Broad antral cytologic brushing is a useful alternative approach to histology for the diagnosis of H pylori gastric infection.