AIM: To estimate the test characteristics of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) serology and of C14-urea breath test (C14-UBT) in two different peptic ulcer populations and in community controls. Second, the aim was to explore the association between the level of H pylori IgG antibodies and severity of inflammation as to active peptic ulceration in the same populations. METHODS: Vagotomized (n = 83), medically treated peptic ulcer patients (n = 73) and one reference group of community controls (n = 88) were gastroscoped. H pylori status was determined by histology, bacterial growth, C14-UBT and serology. Based on the updated Sydney System, cumulative scores from biopsies from the prepyloruos, incisura angularis, corpus and fundus were calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of H pylori infection varied from 70% to 79%. The C14-UBT had high accuracy compared to the serology test. The sensitivity of the serology test was good, but the specificity was low (41%-71%). The association between H pylori IgG antibodies and scores of gastric mucosal inflammation and current or previous peptic ulcer were weak. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of C14-UBT to diagnose H pylori infection was good, and the clinical utility of a negative H pylori serology test was substantial, while the gain in clinical information of a positive test was meagre. Positive H pylori titres could not distinguish between subjects with or those without active peptic ulceration.
AIM: To estimate the test characteristics of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) serology and of C14-urea breath test (C14-UBT) in two different peptic ulcer populations and in community controls. Second, the aim was to explore the association between the level of H pylori IgG antibodies and severity of inflammation as to active peptic ulceration in the same populations. METHODS: Vagotomized (n = 83), medically treated peptic ulcerpatients (n = 73) and one reference group of community controls (n = 88) were gastroscoped. H pylori status was determined by histology, bacterial growth, C14-UBT and serology. Based on the updated Sydney System, cumulative scores from biopsies from the prepyloruos, incisura angularis, corpus and fundus were calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of H pylori infection varied from 70% to 79%. The C14-UBT had high accuracy compared to the serology test. The sensitivity of the serology test was good, but the specificity was low (41%-71%). The association between H pylori IgG antibodies and scores of gastric mucosal inflammation and current or previous peptic ulcer were weak. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of C14-UBT to diagnose H pylori infection was good, and the clinical utility of a negative H pylori serology test was substantial, while the gain in clinical information of a positive test was meagre. Positive H pylori titres could not distinguish between subjects with or those without active peptic ulceration.
Authors: C Basset; J Holton; C Ricci; L Gatta; A Tampieri; F Perna; M Miglioli; D Vaira Journal: Aliment Pharmacol Ther Date: 2003-06 Impact factor: 8.171
Authors: H T J I de Leest; K S S Steen; W F Lems; M A F J van de Laar; A M Huisman; S W Kadir; H H M L Houben; P J Kostense; E J Kuipers; B A C Dijkmans; Y J Debets-Ossenkopp Journal: Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 2011-02-04 Impact factor: 3.267