Helicobacter pylori detection

It is well known that Helicobacter pylori is the main pathogen of various gastrointestinal diseases such as gastritis and gastric cancer. In Taiwan, the average prevalence of Helicobacter pylori is about 54%, and the proportion is higher in the elderly population. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and successful eradication of polio are of great importance. The H. pylori test is used to detect Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in the stomach and upper small intestine (duodenum). Helicobacter pylori can cause peptic ulcers. But most people who have H. pylori in their digestive systems do not develop ulcers.

Blood tests for antibodies. A blood test checks whether your body has made antibodies against H. pylori. If you have H. pylori antibodies in your blood, it means you either have a current infection or have been infected in the past.

Urea breath test. The urea breath test checks whether you have Helicobacter pylori in your stomach. This test can show if you are infected with Helicobacter pylori. It may also be used to see if treatment helps eradicate H. pylori.

Stool antigen test. The stool antigen test checks to see if substances that trigger your immune system to fight H. pylori infection (H. pylori antigens) are present in your stool (feces). Stool antigen testing can help support the diagnosis of H. pylori infection or determine whether treatment of H. pylori infection has been successful.

Gastric biopsy. During endoscopy, a small sample (biopsy) is taken from the lining of the stomach and small intestine. Several different tests may be done on the biopsy sample. For more information, see the Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy topic.

Before having the breath test or stomach biopsy, you will be asked not to eat or drink anything for a certain amount of time. Follow your doctor's instructions about how long you need to avoid eating or drinking before the test.

Many medications may change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take. Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking some medications.

Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop blood flow. This makes the vein underneath the band larger, making it easier to insert the needle into the vein.

Breath samples were collected at different times. The breath samples will be tested to see if they contain substances formed when H. pylori comes into contact with labeled or radioactive materials.

The urea breath test usually takes about 30 minutes.

Stool samples for this test can be collected at home. If you are in hospital, a health professional will help you collect the sample.

If your doctor collects the sample during a rectal exam, you may feel pressure or discomfort when the swab is inserted into your rectum.

You may notice a brief, sharp pain when the intravenous (IV) needle is inserted into a vein in your arm. Local anesthetics sprayed into your throat usually have a slightly bitter taste and can cause your tongue and throat to feel numb and swollen. Some people report that they sometimes feel like they can't breathe because of the tube in their throat, but this is an illusion caused by the anesthetic. There is always plenty of breathing room around the tube in your mouth and throat. Remember to relax and breathe slowly and deeply.

You may experience some vomiting, nausea, bloating, or mild abdominal cramping while the tube is moved. Even if you can't speak during surgery because of the tube in your throat, you can still communicate. If the discomfort is severe, alert the doctor with an agreed upon signal or tap on the arm.

IV medicines can make you sleepy. Other side effects, such as heavy eyelids, difficulty speaking, dry mouth, or blurred vision, may last for several hours after the test. These medicines may also cause you to not remember much of what happened during the test.

You might get bruised on the spot. You can reduce the chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the spot for a few minutes.

In rare cases, the vein may swell after blood collection. This problem is called phlebitis. This condition can be treated by applying warm compresses several times a day.

There are no known risks or complications of the urea breath test. If radiocarbon is used, the amount of radioactive exposure is very small - less than you would normally get outside during the day.

There are no risks or complications with a stool sample. But if you don't wash your hands after collecting the sample, you may spread the germs.

There is a small risk (1 in 10,000) of puncturing the esophagus, stomach, or duodenal wall to collect a gastric biopsy sample during an endoscopy. A biopsy may also cause some bleeding at the site where the sample is taken. But the bleeding usually stops without treatment. For more information, see the Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy topic.

The H. pylori test is used to detect Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in the stomach and upper small intestine (duodenum).

Results of a urea breath test or stoollantigen test are usually available within a few hours. Results of blood antibody tests are usually available within 24 hours. Results of endoscopic biopsy specimens are usually available within 48 hours. Results from a cultured biopsy sample may take up to 10 days.