HEOBA – “Helicobacter pylori Culture with Reflex to Susceptibility”

Update to specimen requirements, alternate specimen, rejection criteria, and stability

Collect: Gastric/antral or duodenal biopsy

Specimen Preparation: Send 3 mm gastric/antral or duodenal biopsy in Brucella broth or Trypticase Soy Broth (TSB) with 10 – 20% glycerol. Do not send in a swab container. Send frozen -70°C (dry ice).

Transport Temperature: Brucella Broth or equivalent with glycerol: -70°C

Alternate Specimen:

Broth with or without glycerol 2 – 8°C (not recommended)
Sterile non-bacteriostatic saline 2 – 8°C (not recommended)

Rejection Criteria:

Transport swab with or without gel; stool
Specimens frozen at -20°C.

Stability:

Specimens with gycerol:
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen (-70°C): 5 days

All other specimens:
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable