UREA BREATH TESTS FOR THE DETECTION OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION

Background. Helicobacter pylori is recognized as an important human pa thogen. The urea breath test, using either C-13 or C-14, provides a no ninvasive diagnostic method for the detection of active H. pylori infe ction. Methods. We review the data regarding the utility of the urea b reath test in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with suspected H . pylori infection. Results. Following its ingestion, labeled urea is hydrolyzed by H, pylori urease, producing ammonia and labeled CO2, whi ch is absorbed and can be detected in expired breath. The urea breath test provides a semiquantitative assessment of the load of H. pylori a nd overcomes the problem of the sampling error due to the patchy distr ibution of the infection. C-13-urea breath test has an advantage over the C-14 version, because the C-13 isotope is a nonradioactive natural isotope; therefore, a user's license is unnecessary, making simple th e handling and mailing of samples. The C-13-urea breath test is prefer red in children and expectant mothers. Conclusion. The high sensitivit y, and specificity of the C-13-urea breath test are such that it can b e considered a clinical gold standard against which other diagnostic m ethods can be validated. This test can be used as the sole method for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment of H. pylori infection.