Objectives: The objective of the study is to compare the helicobacter
pylori high molecular weight cell associated protein, IgG enzyme immun
oassay (HM.CAP, IgG EIA) with the campylobacter-like organism preforme
d urease campylobacter-like-organism (CLO test) as an indication of th
e presence of H.pylori among patients with dyspepsia. Subjects: One hu
ndred and six Saudi patients with dyspepsia or abdominal pain who had
gastroscopy between July and September 1993, at the Gastroenterology D
epartment of the Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital, were included in the st
udy. Design: Antral biopsy was collected from each patient for CLO tes
t, while a serum sample was obtained for H.pylori immunoassay test usi
ng the HM.CAP immunoassay kit from Enteric Products Inc. Specimens wer
e sent to the microbiology laboratory blind without indicating the cli
nical findings or the result of the CLO test performed in the Gastroen
terology Department. Results: In 60 of these patients (56.6%) both tes
ts were positive and in 12 cases both tests were negative. The concord
ance of the two tests was 68%. The most common abnormal gastroscopic f
indings were gastritis or gastric erosion in 24 patients and in 12 (50
%) of them, both the CLO test and serology were positive. Conclusions:
Both tests were found useful for screening for the presence of H.pylo
ri. A screening strategy based on serology could play an important rol
e in reducing endoscopy workload and for follow-up of patients with H.
pylori infection.