Abstract
Candida albicans, Campylobacter pylori,and Giardi lambliaare microorganisms that are frequently found in the upper gastrointestinal tract. A cytological smear of biopsies obtained at endoscopy was compared with the pathologic examination of biopsies. Candida albicanswas found in 55 patients, Campylobacter pyloriin 54, Giardia lambliain 31; cytology was positive in 43, 46, and 22 cases, respectively, and biopsy in 29, 43, and 22 cases. Cytology was thus the only positive test in 26 cases with Candida albicans(47% of the 55 cases), in 11 cases of Campylobacter pylori(20%), and in nine cases of Giardia lamblia(29%). We believe that the cytological smear of biopsies (touch cytology) is a quick and sensitive method for diagnosing infections of the upper gastrointestinal tract, increasing the diagnostic yield obtained by biopsy alone.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gordts B, Hemelhof W, Van Tilbrogh K: Evaluation of a new method for routinein vitro cultivation ofGiardia lamblia from duodenal fluid. Clin Microbiol 22:702–704, 1985
Marshall BJ, McGechie DB, Rogers PA, Glancy RJ: PyloricCampylobacter infection and gastroduodenal disease. Med J Aust 142:439–444, 1985
Kozinn P, Taschdjian C:Candida albicans: Saprophyte or pathogen? JAMA 198:190–192, 1966
Debongnie JC, Legros G, Wautelet M, Beyaert C, Mainguet P: Evaluation de la valeur de la cytologie perendoscopique dans l'identification duCampylobacter pylori sur la muqueuse gastrique. Gastroenterol Clin Biol 11:764–767, 1987
Debongnie JC, Legros G, Beyaert C: Méthodologie des prélèvements endoscopiques pour examen cytologique. Acta Endosc 15:343–346, 1985
Eras PH, Goldstein MJ, Sherlock P:Candida infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Medicine 51:367–379, 1972
Kodsi BE, Wickremesinghe PC, Kozinn P, et al:Candida esophagitis. A prospective study of 27 cases. Gastroenterology 71:715–719, 1976
Jiang SJ, Liu WZ, Zhang DZ, et al: Campylobacter-like organisms in chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma. Scand J Gastroenterol 22:553–558, 1987
Marshall BJ, Warren JR, Francis GJ, Langton SR, Goodwin CS, Blincow ED: Rapid urease test in the management ofCampylobacter pyloridis-associated gastritis. Am J Gastroenterol 82:200–210, 1987
Raizman RE: Giardiasis. An overview for the clinician. Am J Dig Dis 21:1070–1074, 1976
Debongnie JC, Legros G, Beyaert C: Apport de la cytologie du tractus digestif supérieur dans un hôpital général. Acta Endosc 15:337–342, 1985
Young JAP, Hughes HA, Lee FD: Evaluation of endoscopic brush and biopsy touch smear cytology and biopsy histology in the diagnosis of carcinoma of the lower oesophagus and cardia. J Clin Pathol 33:811–814, 1980
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Debongnie, J.C., Beyaert, C. & Legros, G. Touch cytology, a useful diagnostic method for diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal tract infections. Digest Dis Sci 34, 1025–1027 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01536368
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01536368