37 kBq 14C-urea breath test and gastric biopsy analyses of H. pylori infection.
BACKGROUND
The treatment of H. pylori-associated gastroduodenal disease is increasingly aimed at bacterial eradication which requires follow-up assessment of therapeutic effectiveness and re-infection. A simplified 37 kBq 14C-urea breath test for H. pylori infection has been developed.


METHODS
The 37 kBq 14C-urea breath test was compared with biopsy urease (CLO) and histological analyses of gastric-biopsies obtained from 63 patients undergoing endoscopy.


RESULTS
The 30-min breath test correlated closely with biopsy findings, had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 95% and a positive predictive value of 92%.


CONCLUSIONS
The simplified, low-dose, 14C-urea breath test is a convenient, low-cost, transportable means of facilitating the management of H. pylori-associated diseases.
Allardyce
R A
RA
Department of Surgery, Christchurch School of Medicine, New Zealand.
Chapman
B A
BA
Tie
A B
AB
Burt
M J
MJ
Yeo
K J
KJ
Keenan
J I
JI
Bagshaw
P F
PF
D001706:Biopsy; D001944:Breath Tests; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology*; D014508:Urea
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D014508:Urea