Helicobacter pylori Culture




Test Mnemonic

HPYCUL

CPT Codes

  • 87046 - QTY (3)
  • 87070 - QTY (1)
  • 87176 - QTY (1)

Aliases

  • Culture, Helicobacter pylori

Performing Laboratory

Cleveland Clinic Laboratories


Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
UnspecifiedTissueOther RefrigeratedContainer: Brucella broth with glycerol (contact the microbiology lab at 216-444-5870 to obtain this transport media)
UnspecifiedBiopsy, gastricOther RefrigeratedContainer: Brucella broth with glycerol (contact the microbiology lab at 216-444-5870 to obtain this transport media)

Alternate Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
UnspecifiedTissueSterile container  Tissue may be placed in a sterile container with a small amount of sterile saline if transport time is <4 hours.
UnspecifiedBiopsy, gastricSterile container  Tissue may be placed in a sterile container with a small amount of sterile saline if transport time is <4 hours.

Stability

Environmental Condition Description
AmbientIn Brucella Broth with Glycerol: Unacceptable
RefrigeratedIn Brucella Broth with Glycerol: 48 hours
FrozenIn Brucella Broth with Glycerol: Unacceptable

Days Performed

Sun - Sat

Turnaround Time

10 days

Methodology

Name Description
Culture 

Reference Range

Helicobacter pylori Culture
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
       Negative for H. pylori by culture 

Special Info

One or two gastric biopsy specimens from the antrum and corpus are recommended for culture. Call the microbiology lab (216-444-5870) to obtain transport media (Brucella broth with glycerol). For optimal recovery of organisms, transport the specimen to the lab immediately. Culture will be incubated for 7 days before reporting as negative. Fecal specimens are unacceptable. If culture is positive, identification will be performed at an additional charge. Identification CPT codes that may apply include: 87077, 87153. Antimicrobial susceptibilities are performed when indicated, and CPT code 87181 would apply.

Clinical Info

Helicobacter pylori is associated with peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Noninvasive tests for diagnosing H. pylori infection include serology, urea breath test and stool antigen detection. When gastric biopsy is performed, a urease test is often used to confirm the presence of H. pylori with a reported sensitivity ranging from 89 - 98% and specificity of 93 - 98% (1). Due to the fastidious nature of H. pylori, culture is only indicated when patients have failed therapy and susceptibility testing is required. H. heilmannii may also cause gastrititis, but often cannot be cultured (2). The urea breath test or stool antigen detection should be performed 4 -6 weeks after therapy to confirm eradication of H. pylori. 1. Jerris, RC, PI Fields, and MA Nicholson. 2010. Helicobacter pylori cultures. 3.8.4.1-3.8.4.5. In Garcia LS (ed). Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, 3rd ed. ASM Press, Washington DC. 2. Fox, JG, and F Megraud. 2007. Helicobacter. In Murray, PR, EJ Baron, JH Jorgensen, ML Landry, and MA Pfaller (ed). Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 9th ed. ASM Press, Washington DC.