Optimal serological tests for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection in the Chinese population.
BACKGROUND
Numerous serological tests for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection have been developed. However, many perform poorly when evaluated in the Chinese population.


OBJECTIVE
To search for optimal serological tests for the detection of H. pylori infection in Chinese patients.


METHODS
Consecutive dyspeptic patients referred for upper endoscopy were recruited. During endoscopy, gastric biopsies were taken for the CLOtest and histological examination. Patients were then given a 13C-urea breath test. Sera were used to test for H. pylori infection, employing three commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits (pylori DTect, HP IgG and GAP IgG). Results were compared with the gold standard defined by the CLOtest, histology and 13C-urea breath test.


RESULTS
Among the 142 patients (47 male, 95 female; mean age, 49 years) recruited, 81 (57%) were H. pylori-positive, 57 (40%) were H. pylori-negative and four (3%) were defined to be indeterminate. Using a self-defined cut-off value after calculation, the best accuracies for the pylori DTect, HP IgG and GAP IgG tests were 97%, 91% and 80%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The pylori DTect test is an optimal serological test for the detection of H. pylori infection in Hong Kong Chinese patients. The HP IgG test may be used as an alternative.
Xia
H H-X
HH
Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
Wong
B C Y
BC
Wong
W M
WM
Tang
V S Y
VS
Cheung
H K L
HK
Sham
F N F
FN
Fung
F M Y
FM
Lai
K C
KC
Hu
W H C
WH
Chan
C K
CK
Lam
S K
SK
D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002681:China; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014508:Urea / Q000032:analysis
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D014508:Urea