EVALUATION OF 8 ENZYME IMMUNOASSAYS FOR DETECTION OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN-GAGAINST HELICOBACTER-PYLORI

Eight commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to test sera taken from 102 patients in whom Helicobacter pylori infe ction status had been determined by means of biopsy culture, PCR, hist ology, and urease production and by C-13 urea breath test. By those me ans, 61 patients had been found to be infected. Assays were compared b y receiver operating characteristic analysis. Sensitivities ranged fro m 86 to 98%; specificities ranged from 83 to 98%. In a group consistin g of the assays by Bio-Whittaker, Meddens Biotech, Orion (Pyloriset EI A G, new version), and Enteric Products, Inc. (HM Cap), differences in performance were not statistically significant. Sensitivities in this group ranged from 93 to 98%; specificities ranged from 95 to 98%. Ass ays from this group may be useful in addition to biopsy-based methods in diagnosing H. pylori infection.