DNA-based diagnostic techniques to detect Helicobacter pylori

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an important cause of many gastrointestinal disorders, ranging from chronic gastritis to gastric lymphoma and adenocarcinoma. Aim: To summarize current techniques of H. pylori diagnosis. Methods and results: The DNA-based assays have the potential to be a powerful diagnostic tool given its ability to specifically identify H. pylori DNA. Markers used include general H. pylori structures and pathogenetic factors like ureaseA, cagA, vacA, IceA. DNA or bacterial RNA for PCR assays can be collected from gastric biopsy, gastric juice, stool, buccal specimens. PCR can yiel…