Endoscopy question (biopsy, doctor, stomach, tissue)

[tar21]

I had a endoscopy and stomach biopsy to check for h pylori. I did not test positive for h pylori. I did not like my doctor and got a copy of my records from him. In the pathology report it states that the stomach biopsy was received in formalin solution(which is formaldehyde). Since formaldehyde kills germs and is a potent preservative wouldn't it kill any h pylori in the biopsy? Or is this standard procedure?

[tickyul]

Originally Posted by tar21

I had a endoscopy and stomach biopsy to check for h pylori. I did not test positive for h pylori. I did not like my doctor and got a copy of my records from him. In the pathology report it states that the stomach biopsy was received in formalin solution(which is formaldehyde). Since formaldehyde kills germs and is a potent preservative wouldn't it kill any h pylori in the biopsy? Or is this standard procedure?

I really doubt that a established doctor's-office would put a biopsy/sample into something that would
harm/taint the sample.

[oldgardener]

Formalin is a common tissue fixative.

[bluedevilz]

With rare exceptions for fresh/frozen biopsy such as in MOHS procedures all biopsy specimens that are sent to pathology are typically placed in formalin.

Pathology isn't microbiology, the pathologist doesn't "plate" cultures in an attempt to grow out organisms for identification and susceptibility testing...

The pathologist is looking directly at specimens for cellular changes, direct identification of organisms etc...

[reneeh63]

Originally Posted by bluedevilz

With rare exceptions for fresh/frozen biopsy such as in MOHS procedures all biopsy specimens that are sent to pathology are typically placed in formalin.

Pathology isn't microbiology, the pathologist doesn't "plate" cultures in an attempt to grow out organisms for identification and susceptibility testing...

The pathologist is looking directly at specimens for cellular changes, direct identification of organisms etc...

Right...even though the organisms may be dead, they are still visible and identifiable...that's all that counts.