NOBEL Prize laureate Dr Barry Marshall started his first outpatient service at Shanghai East Hospital yesterday to offer the nation’s first clinic with genetic testing and individualized treatment of people suffering Helicobacter pylori infection.

Marshall was honored with a Noble Prize in 2005 for his part in the discovery of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. According to the World Health Organization, HP infection is a leading cause for chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer and stomach cancer.

“HP infection is a common problem in China due to our dietary habits,” said Dr Liu Zhongmin, president of Shanghai East Hospital.

In Marshall’s clinic, all patients will receive a comprehensive test to identity their particular type of HP, and be tested for reaction to different medicines to work out a personalized treatment plan.

“We have established a team here to do study on Chinese patients’ drug resistance and to develop new genetic diagnostic products in line with different drug-resistance strains to improve treatment results and reduce medical bills,” Marshall said.

As honorary president of Shanghai East Hospital and director of Marshall Diagnostic and Treatment Center for Digestive Diseases at the hospital, he offers a regular outpatient service. His next clinic is scheduled in mid-July.

A consultation with Marshall costs 1,200 yuan (US$174), hospital officials said.