Helicobacter pylori infections: antigen detection in stool samples

BACKGROUND. The aim of this study is to evaluate a new diagnostic test to d etect Helicobacter pylori antigen in stool samples (HpSA), and compare the results with those obtained by standard techniques (rapid urease test, cult ure, histological examination of gastric biopsy specimens, C-13-urea breath test and serology), in a paediatric population with gastrointestinal sympt omatology. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Sixty patients with dyspeptic symptoms (37 females an d 23 males; mean age 10.9 years) attending the Gastroenterology Service wer e included in the study. Exclusion criterium was previous treatment with pr oton pump inhibitors, bismuth compounds or antibiotics. Rapid urease test, culture and histologic study of gastric biopsies, C-13-urea breath test and serology, as well as HpSA, were performed to all patients. RESULTS. Forty seven patients were considered infected by H.pylori on the b asis of bacterium isolation and C-13-urea breath test positivity. HpSA was detected in 45 of the 47 H.pylori positive patients (95.7%). There were no HpSA false positive. CONCLUSION. Our results show that this new test is highly sensitive (95%) a nd specific (100%) for detection of H.pylory infection. It has some advanta ges over other non invasive thecniques: it is easy to perform, requires no blood samples and its cost is lower than that of C-13-urea breath test.