Pharmaceutical interference with the [14C] carbon urea breath test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection.
Helicobacter pylori bacteria reside in the mucosal lining of the stomach where, due to a variety of factors, the infection predisposes patients to peptic ulcer disease. Detection of H. pylori is important in the treatment and follow-up of patients with peptic ulcer disease and the urea breath test is the method of choice. This article will briefly review the methods for diagnosing H. pylori, emphasizing the [(14)C]urea breath test. The agents which can interfere with the results of the breath test will be reviewed and the role of the consulting pharmacist will be discussed.
Abrams
D N
DN
Radiopharmacy, Department of Radiology, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Dabrams@exchange.hsc.mb.ca
Koslowsky
I
I
Matte
G
G
D001944:Breath Tests; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D010595:Pharmacists; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014508:Urea / Q000032:analysis*
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D014508:Urea