Comparison of three methods to obtain upper small bowel contents for culture.

In this study of 27 patients with dyspepsia, we compared three methods for obtaining upper small bowel contents for culture: 1) the Enterotest or string capsule method, 2) duodenal intubation using a closed polyethylene tube filled with water that had been boiled for sterilization and removal of dissolved oxygen, and 3) brushing of duodenal mucosa with a cytology brush protected by a sheath (the last two done during endoscopy). In 12 of the 27 patients, duplicate intubations and brushings were performed. The samples obtained were cultured aerobically