Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection

This past year the focus has remained on non-invasive tests, and more speci fically the antigen stool test for which a number of studies have been publ ished, validating its use for screening as well as for post-therapy follow- up. The possibilities offered by antibody testing have been further explore d. A new antibody test in urine has emerged while use of the urea breath te st, which is now standardized has been extended to children. Biopsy-based t ests, especially culture, continue to be of great value for macrolide susce ptibility testing, but new molecular methods such as a PCR hybridization as say have also been proposed. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 16 (suppl 1):S5-S10 (C ) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.