Specimen Requirements

Have patient avoid antibiotics and bismuth salts for at least three weeks prior to endoscopy. The patient should not have ingested proton pump inhibitors two weeks prior to testing.

Specimen Collection:

Obtain CLOtest slide from Laboratory.

The recommended gastric area to biopsy is at least 2 cm away from the pylorus along the lesser or greater curve of the antrum. Gastric biopsy specimen should be taken preferably from an area that is not eroded or denuded.

With a clean applicator device (e.g. toothpick) push the entire sample from the forceps beneath the surface of the gel to expose as much of the specimen to the gel as possible. Make sure that the biopsy specimen is completely immersed in the gel.  Although this method is highly sensitive, it is acceptable to double inoculate the gel with a second sample if first biopsy appears too small.

Re-seal the pressure-sensitive label on the slide and record the patient name, date and time the biopsy sample was inserted.  Return slide to the Laboratory.

Specimen rejections:

1. Specimens other than gastric biopsy.

2. Biopsy specimens contaminated with blood or bile fluids.