PURPOSE: Detection of anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies is accurate in the diagnosis of the infection, and there is a decline in IgG titers after successful eradication. It is not known whether these titers continue to decline during the next 3 to 4 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients had been successfully treated for H pylori with triple therapy (metronidazole, tetracycline, and bismuth subsalicylate) during 1990 and 1991. Those who had frozen serum samples available from that time were contacted to have follow-up serum collected in 1994. A simultaneous [13C]urea breath test was done to confirm H pylori infection status. Serology was determined by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and qualitative immunoassay. RESULTS: All 29 patients who agreed to participate were free of H pylori infection. They had a mean decrease in H pylori IgG titers of 51% from baseline (P <0.001). Titers remained stable from 1 year to a mean of 3.5 years after therapy (range 2.8 to 4.4). Of the 29 patients, 21 (72%) remained seropositive by ELISA 3.5 years after successful H pylori treatment, and 18 (62%) remained positive by rapid serum immunoassay. CONCLUSION: IgG titers against H pylori plateau at a 50% decrease after therapy. Helicobacter pylori serology, either quantitative or qualitative, will yield false positive results in patients who have previously been treated for H pylori and should not be used to determine infection status in this population.
PURPOSE: Detection of anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies is accurate in the diagnosis of the infection, and there is a decline in IgG titers after successful eradication. It is not known whether these titers continue to decline during the next 3 to 4 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients had been successfully treated for H pylori with triple therapy (metronidazole, tetracycline, and bismuth subsalicylate) during 1990 and 1991. Those who had frozen serum samples available from that time were contacted to have follow-up serum collected in 1994. A simultaneous [13C]urea breath test was done to confirm H pylori infection status. Serology was determined by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and qualitative immunoassay. RESULTS: All 29 patients who agreed to participate were free of H pylori infection. They had a mean decrease in H pylori IgG titers of 51% from baseline (P <0.001). Titers remained stable from 1 year to a mean of 3.5 years after therapy (range 2.8 to 4.4). Of the 29 patients, 21 (72%) remained seropositive by ELISA 3.5 years after successful H pylori treatment, and 18 (62%) remained positive by rapid serum immunoassay. CONCLUSION: IgG titers against H pylori plateau at a 50% decrease after therapy. Helicobacter pylori serology, either quantitative or qualitative, will yield false positive results in patients who have previously been treated for H pylori and should not be used to determine infection status in this population.
Authors: Helena Nordenstedt; David Y Graham; Jennifer R Kramer; Massimo Rugge; Gordana Verstovsek; Stephanie Fitzgerald; Abeer Alsarraj; Yasser Shaib; Maria E Velez; Neena Abraham; Bhupinderjit Anand; Rhonda Cole; Hashem B El-Serag Journal: Am J Gastroenterol Date: 2012-11-13 Impact factor: 10.864
Authors: A M Vollaard; H W Verspaget; S Ali; L G Visser; R A Veenendaal; H A G H Van Asten; S Widjaja; Ch Surjadi; J T Van Dissel Journal: Epidemiol Infect Date: 2006-02 Impact factor: 2.451
Authors: Karen M Miernyk; Dana L Bruden; Michael G Bruce; Brian J McMahon; Thomas W Hennessy; Helen V Peters; Debby A Hurlburt; Frank Sacco; Alan J Parkinson Journal: Clin Vaccine Immunol Date: 2006-11-01
Authors: D A Corley; A Kubo; T R Levin; G Block; L Habel; W Zhao; P Leighton; G Rumore; C Quesenberry; P Buffler; J Parsonnet Journal: Gut Date: 2007-09-25 Impact factor: 23.059
Authors: Douglas A Corley; Ai Kubo; T R Levin; Gladys Block; Laurel Habel; Gregory Rumore; Charles Quesenberry; Patricia Buffler; Julie Parsonnet Journal: Helicobacter Date: 2008-10 Impact factor: 5.753