Editing Helicobacter pylori (section)

== '''Non-invasive tests''' ==

* Urea breath test
** Ingest a tablet containing      urea with a labelled carbon isotope, which will be broken down by urease.      The proportion of labelled CO2 in an exhaled breath can be used to      determine the presence of urease.
** Sensitivity and specificity      >95%
** Lower sensitivity in those      taking PPIs, H2 antagonists, or antibiotics
*** Cease antibiotics for 4/52       and PPI for 2/52
** Wait 4/52 after treatment
** Can be done while acutely      unwell with bleeding or perforation
* Stool antigen
** Monoclonal antibodies that      H. pylori antigens to test for H. pylori in faecal specimens
** Works since H. pylori      bacteria will be present in the stool of infected patients
** Sensitivity >90%,      specificities 86-92%
** Accurate for testing      eradication
** Non-specific with blood      present
* Serology
** 90% sensitivity, 76-96%      specificity
** Antibody titres can remain      high for up to 1 year after eradication; not useful for confirming      eradication