Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

HPSA
81806
UBT
81590
Blaser MJ, et al: Intrafamilial clustering of Helicobacter pylori infection. N Engl J Med 1990;322:359-363
4. Morris AJ, Ali MR, Nicholson GI, et al: Long term follow-up of voluntary ingestion of Helicobacter
pylori. Ann Intern Med 1991;114:662-663 5. Evans DJ Jr, Evans DG, Graham DY, et al: A sensitive and
specific serologic test for detection of Campylobacter pylori infection. Gastroenterology
1989;96:1004-1008 6. Glassman MS, Dallal S, Berezin SH, et al: Helicobacter pylori related
gastroduodenal disease in children. Diagnostic utility of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Dig Dis Sci 1990;35:993-997
Helicobacter pylori Antigen, Feces
Clinical Information: Helicobacter pylori is well recognized as the cause of chronic active gastritis,
duodenal ulcer, and nonulcer dyspepsia. Currently accepted methods for the diagnosis of Helicobacter
pylori infection include serologic tests, the urea breath test (UBT), and culture or histologic examination
or direct urease testing (CLO test) of biopsy specimens obtained at the time of gastroduodenoscopy
(ENDO). Each of these tests has its drawbacks, including lack of specificity (serology) or high cost,
complexity, and inconvenience for the patient (UBT and ENDO). See Helicobacter pylori Diagnostic
Algorithm in Special Instructions.
Useful For: As an aid in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Monitoring the eradication of
Helicobacter pylori after therapy (in most situations, confirmation of eradication is not mandatory) The
utility of this test in asymptomatic individuals is not known, but testing for Helicobacter pylori in such
individuals is not generally recommended
Interpretation: Positive results indicate the presence of Helicobacter pylori antigen in the stool.
Negative results indicate the absence of detectable antigen but does not eliminate the possibility of
infection due to Helicobacter pylori.
Reference Values:
Negative
Clinical References: 1. NIH Consensus Development Panel. Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer
disease. JAMA 1994;272:65-69 2. Report of the Digestive Health Initiative. International Update
Conference on H. pylori. Tysons Corner, McLean, VA, Feb 13-16, 1997
Helicobacter pylori Breath Test
Clinical Information: The causal relationship between the urease-producing bacterium, Helicobacter
pylori, and chronic active gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and nonulcer dyspepsia is well established.
Conventional methods for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection include serology or the evaluation of
biopsied tissue obtained by endoscopy. The (13)C-Urea Breath Test (Meretek UBT) is a highly sensitive
and specific noninvasive, nonradioactive test for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection prior to
antimicrobial treatment and for assessing whether the organism has been successfully eradicated
following antimicrobial therapy.(2) In 2 recent large prospective studies, the (13)C-UBT was shown to be
as, or more, sensitive and specific for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori active infection than culture, PCR,
stain, or rapid urease testing of biopsy tissue, or serology.(3,4) When the test is used to assess eradication,
it should be performed 4 to 6 weeks after completion of antimicrobial treatment. See Helicobacter pylori
Diagnostic Algorithm in Special Instructions.
Useful For: Recommendations for use of the (13)C-UBT were recently provided by the Digestive
Health Initiative, a joint committee assembled with representatives from the American
Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE),
and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).(5) These recommendations
include the following statements: "When endoscopy is not clinically indicated, the primary diagnosis of
Helicobacter pylori infection can be made serologically or with the UBT. When endoscopy is clinically
indicated, the primary diagnosis should be established by biopsy urease testing and/or histology.
Available evidence suggests that confirmation of Helicobacter pylori eradication is not mandatory in most
situations because of costs associated with testing. However, for selected patients with complicated ulcer
Current as of January 4, 2013 7:15 pm CST 800-533-1710 or 507-266-5700 or MayoMedicalLaboratories.com Page 865