2. Helicobacter pylori infection (Warthin-Starry)

Staining: Warthin-Starry stain

The ring shows a site where you can find lots of bacteria, but you can find them anywhere on the slide.

Organ: Gastric antrum

Description:

Along the mucosa can we see small black dots, which are stained H. pylori bacteria.

Diagnosis: Helicobacter pylori infection

Causes:

  • Helicobacter pylori infection

Theory:

This sample is taken by biopsy, which explains why the tissue sample is fragmented. The sample is taken from the pyloric antrum.

The small black dots are bacteria

H. pylori is famous for causing peptic ulcers in the stomach, however 85% of people with the bacterium in their stomach are asymptomatic. In addition to peptic ulcer disease can the bacterium also cause gastritis, adenocarcinoma and MALT lymphoma in the stomach.