EVALUATION OF A SEROLOGICAL TEST FOR DIAGNOSIS OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORIINFECTION IN CHILDREN

A serological test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection (Cobas Core Roche, IgG, 2nd Generation; Roche, France) was compared wi th the examination of biopsy samples (culture and histology) obtained after endoscopy in 115 children to assess its value, In 94 children (4 2 positive and 52 negative), results were concordant. In 10 children a positive serological test was associated with an absence of Helicobac ter pylori, while in 11 others a negative serological test was associa ted with a positive culture. Sensitivity of the test was 79.2% and spe cificity 83.9%. A relationship between IgG titers and age (r = 0.31, p < 0.05) was found. Serological tests could be useful for the diagnosi s of Helicobacter pylori infection, but a negative test result does no t rule out infection, particularly in children under 10 years of age.