M Feldman1, B Cryer, E Lee, W L Peterson. 1. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas, USA. feldman.mark@dallas.va.gov
Abstract
CONTEXT: The role of serologic testing to confirm cure of Helicobacter pylori infection after antimicrobial therapy is not completely defined. OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of serologic testing in confirming cure of H pylori infection more than 1 year after therapy. DESIGN: A prospective, before-after interventional trial. SETTING: An outpatient clinical research laboratory in an academic, urban Veterans Affairs medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three otherwise healthy men and women with active H pylori infection demonstrated by gastric biopsy and with positive H pylori serologic findings. INTERVENTION: A 14-day course of bismuth, tetracycline, and metronidazole. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Determination of IgG serum antibodies to H pylori at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and approximately 18 months after completion of therapy compared with serial gastric mucosal biopsy specimens with stains for H pylori and for histologic examination as the criterion standard. RESULTS: Fifteen (65%) of 23 subjects were cured of their H pylori infection as assessed by gastric biopsy, with elimination of gastritis; median antibody levels declined from 92.5 U/mL at baseline to undetectable levels at 18 months. The other 8 subjects (35%) were not cured and had persistent gastritis at 18 months; median antibody levels declined from 130.6 U/mL at baseline to 89.7 U/mL at 18 months. Sensitivity and specificity of seroconversion (from a positive to negative test result) in detecting cure of H pylori infection were 60% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Undetectable antibody levels beyond the first year of therapy accurately confirm cure of H pylori infection in initially seropositive healthy subjects, with reasonable sensitivity.
CONTEXT: The role of serologic testing to confirm cure of Helicobacter pylori infection after antimicrobial therapy is not completely defined. OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of serologic testing in confirming cure of H pylori infection more than 1 year after therapy. DESIGN: A prospective, before-after interventional trial. SETTING: An outpatient clinical research laboratory in an academic, urban Veterans Affairs medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three otherwise healthy men and women with active H pylori infection demonstrated by gastric biopsy and with positive H pylori serologic findings. INTERVENTION: A 14-day course of bismuth, tetracycline, and metronidazole. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Determination of IgG serum antibodies to H pylori at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and approximately 18 months after completion of therapy compared with serial gastric mucosal biopsy specimens with stains for H pylori and for histologic examination as the criterion standard. RESULTS: Fifteen (65%) of 23 subjects were cured of their H pylori infection as assessed by gastric biopsy, with elimination of gastritis; median antibody levels declined from 92.5 U/mL at baseline to undetectable levels at 18 months. The other 8 subjects (35%) were not cured and had persistent gastritis at 18 months; median antibody levels declined from 130.6 U/mL at baseline to 89.7 U/mL at 18 months. Sensitivity and specificity of seroconversion (from a positive to negative test result) in detecting cure of H pylori infection were 60% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Undetectable antibody levels beyond the first year of therapy accurately confirm cure of H pylori infection in initially seropositive healthy subjects, with reasonable sensitivity.
Authors: Stephen David Howard Malnick; Ehud Melzer; Malka Attali; Gabriel Duek; Jacob Yahav Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2014-07-21 Impact factor: 5.742