Rapid detection of anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG in urine using immunochromatography

Background: Non-invasive methods to detect the presence of H. pylori infect ion continue to be refined. Aim: To evaluate a new 20-min immunochromatography method (RAPIRUN H. pylor i Antibody) for the presence of anti-H. pylori IgG in urine. Methods: We used the C-13-urea breath test to establish H. pylori status. W e evaluated the urine test among 104 subjects including 43 with H. pylori i nfection confirmed by repeatedly positive urea breath tests and 61 H. pylor i-negative subjects with repeatedly negative urea breath tests. Forty-one o f the 43 subjects with H. pylori infection had a positive rapid urine test with two false negative tests. There were two false positive tests among th e 61 with repeatedly negative urea breath tests. The sensitivity, specifici ty, positive and negative predictive values for the rapid urine test were 9 5.3%, 96.7%. 95.3%, and 96.7%, respectively. The kit was easy to use and re quired no special equipment. Conclusions: The rapid immunochromatography method for determination of ant i-H. pylori IgG proved to be reliable with excellent sensitivity and specif icity and is likely to be useful for both clinical and epidemiological stud ies.