Image analysis method to assess adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to gastric epithelium using confocal laser scanning microscopy.

We have used confocal scanning microscopy of FITC-labelled bacteria to assess binding of Helicobacter pylori to stomach sections and to assess the effect of inhibitors on binding to the Lewis antigens. We have quantified the binding using an image manipulation package that is readily available on the web. Our results demonstrate heterogeneity of binding of Helicobacter pylori to tissue sections and that binding can be inhibited using synthetic Lewis B oligosaccharide.