NONDISPERSIVE INFRARED SPECTROMETRY - A NEW METHOD FOR THE DETECTION OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION WITH THE C-13-UREA BREATH TEST

Nondispersive infrared spectrometry (NDIRS) was used to detect Helicob acter pylori infection with the C-13-urea breath test. The results wer e compared with those of standard isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRM S). Both methods accurately distinguished between H. pylori-positive a nd H. pylori-negative individuals. The results demonstrate that NDIRS technology is accurate and therefore of equal value to standard IRMS f or detection of H. pylori infection. It can be recommended for routine clinical application. As NDIRS technology is much cheaper than curren t IRMS machines, we consider the new method extremely useful for clini cal applications.