ABSTRACTBackground.Treatment of antibiotic‐resistantHelicobacter pylorishould be based on bacterial sensitivity testing that requires the ability to isolate the bacterium from gastric mucosal biopsies. The aim of this study was to determine whether the yield for detectingH. pyloriinfection by culture is reduced by immersion of biopsy forceps in formalin prior to obtaining the specimen.Materials and Methods.Gastric antral mucosal biopsies (100 specimens) from 50 patients were obtained for culture ofH. pylori.An antral biopsy was taken for culture, and with the same forceps a biopsy was taken for histological examination. The biopsy specimen was removed by shaking, whereas the forceps was immersed in 10% buffered formalin for the histological investigation. The forceps was then used without rinsing to obtain a second specimen for culture from an area adjacent to the first site.H. pyloristatus was determined by histological assessment with the Genta stain and a rapid urease test.Results.Fifty patients withH. pyloriinfection documented by histological inquiry and positive rapid urease testing entered the study; 29 had duodenal ulcers, 5 had gastric ulcers, 1 had mucosal associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, and 15 were without ulcer disease. The results of culture both before and after immersion in formalin were identical. One patient had both cultures negative; the sensitivity of culture for detection ofH. pyloriinfection was 98% (95% confidence interval =93%‐100%).Conclusion.Preimmersion of biopsy forceps in formalin does not adversely affect the ability to cultureH. pyl