Role of seroconversion in confirming cure of Helicobacter pylori infection.
BACKGROUND
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.


METHODS
A prospective, before-after interventional trial.


METHODS
An outpatient clinical research laboratory in an academic, urban Veterans Affairs medical center.


METHODS
Twenty-three otherwise healthy men and women with active H pylori infection demonstrated by gastric biopsy and with positive H pylori serologic findings.


METHODS
A 14-day course of bismuth, tetracycline, and metronidazole.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Undetectable antibody levels beyond the first year of therapy accurately confirm cure of H pylori infection in initially seropositive healthy subjects, with reasonable sensitivity.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas, USA. feldman.mark@dallas.va.gov
M
M
Feldman
B
B
Cryer
E
E
Lee
W L
WL
Peterson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D001706:Biopsy; D001729:Bismuth / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000863:Antacids; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D008795:Metronidazole; D013752:Tetracycline; D001729:Bismuth