ISSN:
1365-2036
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Helicobacter pylori has attracted increasing attention among gastroenterologists because of its pathogenic potential, stimulating the search for non-invasive diagnostic tests.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉Aims:In this study the efficacy of a new enzyme immunoassay designed to detect H. pylori antigens in stools (HpSA) was evaluated before and after eradication therapy.〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉Methods:HpSA was performed on stool samples collected from 268 patients whose H. pylori status was defined on the basis of concordant results for the 13C-urea breath test, rapid urease test and histology. The H. pylori-positive patients were treated with a 1-week triple therapy to eradicate the infection. One (T30) and 3 months (T90) after the end of therapy, 13C-urea breath test and HpSA were repeated in the treated patients.〈section xml:id="abs1-4"〉〈title type="main"〉Results:The overall diagnostic accuracy of HpSA at T30 (83%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 77–89%) was significantly lower in comparison to the values obtained at baseline (94%, 95% CI: 91–97%) and at T90 (97%, 95% CI: 94–99%). No significant difference was found between the diagnostic accuracy of HpSA at baseline and at T90 (P=0.253).〈section xml:id="abs1-5"〉〈title type="main"〉Conclusions:The present data suggest that HpSA provides a low diagnostic accuracy when used shortly after treatment. It needs a longer period of follow-up (8–12 weeks) to reach a reliability comparable to the 13C-urea breath test.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2036.2001.00928.x
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