title: A comparison of two rapid whole-blood tests and laboratory serology, in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare two rapid whole-blood serology tests for Helicobacter pylori and a laboratory serology assay against a gold standard.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective comparison of tests in 81 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A hospital rapid access endoscopy clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dyspeptic patients requiring assessment of H. pylori status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurement of H. pylori antibody status by Quickvue One-step, Helisal, and Premier H. pylori test; 13C urea breath test for H. pylori, and gastric biopsies for histology, culture and rapid urease test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sensitivity and specificity of Quickvue One-step, Helisal and Premier tests, compared to a gold standard based on 13C urea breath test, biopsy culture, histology and urease test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Quickvue assay has significantly greater sensitivity (81%) than Helisal (67%), but without appreciable loss of specificity (86% and 93%, respectively). The Premier laboratory assay is significantly more sensitive than both of the rapid blood tests (96%), with comparable specificity to the Quickvue assay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rapid serology tests used in this study are quick and convenient to use, but do not approach the sensitivity of a laboratory assay in detecting H. pylori status in this group of dyspeptic patients attending an endoscopy clinic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK. Barney.Hawthorne@UHW-TR.wales.nbs.uk
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Hawthorne
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Westmoreland
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stenson
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Newcombe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001944:Breath Tests; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014508:Urea / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D014508:Urea