Helicobacter pylori breath test

The detection of Helicobacter pylori is done by carbon 13 and carbon 14 breath tests. The carbon content and carbon dioxide content in the exhaled gas of the human body are tested to determine whether Helicobacter pylori exists in the body. Because Helicobacter pylori can cause many diseases of the human stomach, people are very afraid of being infected with Helicobacter pylori. The following is an introduction to the Helicobacter pylori breath test.

Urea breath test. The principle is that HP produces urease in the body. After the subject takes urea labeled with 13C or 14C, it decomposes to produce isotope-labeled carbon dioxide. The breath sample is collected and the labeled carbon dioxide is detected by a liquid scintillation counter or a gas nuclear mass spectrometer. It has extremely high sensitivity and can be quantified. The patient has no convulsions. The method is simple and fast and is very reliable for detecting whether HP is cured. Because 14C contains a small amount of radioactive substances, 13C urea breath test is currently used.

The carbon 14C urea breath test is a non-invasive and painless detection method. It only requires a light breath blow to diagnose whether there is Helicobacter pylori infection, with an accuracy rate of over 99%. Currently, the drugs commonly used in clinical treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection include colloidal bismuth salts, furazolidone, metronidazole, etc.

(1) Colloidal bismuth salt: This drug has the effects of anti-acid, astringent, protecting gastric mucosa, and increasing gastric mucus secretion. It has a strong killing effect on Helicobacter pylori. Currently, the commonly used one is tripotassium diastereate complex diamond (the trade name is also called Di Le or De Le Granules), 1 packet each time, 4 times a day, 4 weeks as a course of treatment, and it can be taken continuously for 2 courses. Although bismuth salts can strengthen the defense of the gastric mucosa and curb Helicobacter pylori, they have side effects such as constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, and sore throat. Generally, they should not be taken continuously for more than 8 weeks.

(2) Furazolidone: This drug has a strong effect in killing Helicobacter pylori, but it can cause side effects such as nausea, upper abdominal discomfort and constipation.

(3) Metronidazole: This drug has a certain clearance effect on Helicobacter pylori, but it is easy to develop drug resistance. (4) Gentomycin: This drug has a certain effect of killing Helicobacter pylori when taken orally, but its efficacy is unclear and it is rarely used in clinical practice. Currently, two drugs are used in combination to treat Helicobacter pylori in clinical practice, which improves the clearance rate and reduces drug resistance compared to using a single drug. You can use:

① Colloidal bismuth + antibiotics, can be used in combination with ampicillin, metronidazole, etc.;

② Hydroxyaminobenzyl penicillin + another antibiotic (such as metronidazole, furazolidone, etc.). In the past two years, the use of three drugs combined treatment has been proposed:

① Colloidal lock + ampicillin + metronidazole, that is, colloidal bismuth 120 mg, 4 times a day, metronidazole 400 mg, 3 times a day, ampicillin 500 mg or tetracycline 500 mg, 4 times a day.

② Use sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin and metronidazole together. ③ Use sulfamethoxazole, metronidazole, and gentamicin (or oxytetracycline) together. Although the three-drug combination therapy can significantly improve the clearance rate of Helicobacter pylori, its use should be considered with caution due to its significant side effects.