[Endoscopic diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori distribution in human gastric mucosa by phenol red dye spraying method].

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is known to show an uneven and patchy distribution on human gastric mucosa, close association with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer diseases. The aim of this study was to clarify the distribution of this organism under direct vision by phenol red dye spraying endoscopy. In order to maintain gastric pH around pH 4.0 to 5.0, premedication was necessary either by intravenous injection of H2-blocker, 30 min before the test, or by oral administration of Omeprazole 20 mg or a half dose of H2-blocker before bedtime the day before the test. After that, 0.05% phenol red solution, containing 0.5 M urea, was sprayed onto the gastric mucosal via a teflon tube inserted through the endoscope. This technique was useful to clarify the distribution of H. pylori in the stomach in vivo and, it was possible to clinically study the role of H. pylori in upper G-I tract disorders, by this new technique.