Accurate diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection by stool antigen test and 6 other currently available tests in children

Invasive and noninvasive tests have been developed for the diagnosis of Hel icobacter pylori infection. Because H pylori infection is acquired in child hood and adolescence, accurate diagnosis of the infection in the pediatric population is important. We conducted a study to compare invasive tests: cu lture, biopsy urease test, histology, and polymerase chain reaction on gast ric biopsy specimens, with noninvasive tests: serology, C-13-urea breath te st, and a new diagnostic modality, stool antigen test to diagnose H pylori infection. A total of 53 children with symptoms were enrolled in this study , and all had completed the 7 diagnostic tests for H pylori. All the diagno stic tests except serology were excellent methods of diagnosing H pylori in fection in children; the diagnostic accuracy was as follows: stool antigen test 96.2%, biopsy urease test 96.2%, histology 98.1%, polymerase chain rea ction 94.3%, culture 98.1%, C-13-urea breath test 100%, and serology 84.9%. The stool antigen test, being highly sensitive and specific, will be poten tially very helpful in diagnosing H pylori infection in children.