COMPARISON OF HELICOBACTER SERUM

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.