Performance of Helicobacter pylori acid extract and urease enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in relation to 14C-urea breath test.
The 14C-urea breath test has been shown to be a reliable non-invasive method to detect the presence or absence of H. pylori infection. Alternatively, a number of techniques have been devised to detect circulating antibodies against H. pylori in serum, the most commonly used being enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). In the present study we compared the value of two ELISA antigen preparations, an acid glycine extract and a urease preparation, in relation to the results achieved in a 14C-urea breath test. Seventy-five gastroenterology outpatients were screened for the presence of H. pylori infection using the urea breath test. At the same time serum specimens were obtained. Thirty-seven patients had a positive breath test, i.e. they expired more than 2% of the oral 14C test dose within 60 min. Using the breath test as reference, sensitivity and specificity for the acid extract were 89.2% and 84.2% respectively, and for the urease ELISA 81.1% and 89.5%. Agreement between the two ELISAs was found in 82.7%, overall agreement between all three tests was observed in 77.3%. All three tests were found to be useful for monitoring therapy directed against H. pylori.
von Wulffen
H
H
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Immunologie, Universitätskrankenhaus Eppendorf in Hamburg, Germany.
Gatermann
S
S
Windler
E
E
Gabbe
E
E
Heinrich
H C
HC
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001944:Breath Tests; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005998:Glycine / Q000378:metabolism; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014508:Urea / Q000032:analysis*; D014510:Urease / Q000378:metabolism
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D014508:Urea; D014510:Urease; D005998:Glycine