Magnetic immuno-PCR assay with inhibitor removal for direct detection of Helicobacter pylori in human feces

A PCR protocol was developed to detect Helicobacter pylori in human stool s pecimens. This protocol was based on the association of a magnetic immuno-P CR assay with a technique to remove inhibitors (agarose-embedded DNA prepar ation). Of the 47 H. pylori-positive and 57 H. pylori-negative patients inc luded in this study, 38 were positive and 66 were negative by this new prot ocol. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for a positive or a negative result were 80.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 66.3 to 90.4), 100% (95% CI, 92.1 to 100), 100% (95% CI, 88.6 to 100), and 86.4% (95% CI, 75.2 to 93.2), respectively.