title: Breath ammonia measurement in Helicobacter pylori infection.
abstract: Our aim was to define the utility of breath ammonia measurement in assessing Helicobacter pylori infection. Volunteers breathed into a device containing three fiberoptic NH3 sensors at baseline and after ingesting 300 mg of urea. Breath ammonia levels were compared to the [14C]urea breath test. Thirteen subjects were tested. Before urea ingestion, H. pylori-positive subjects had significantly lower breath ammonia levels than negative subjects (mean +/- SD, 0.04 ppm +/- 0.09 vs 0.49 ppm +/- 0.24, P = 0.002) and had a significantly greater increases in breath ammonia after urea ingestion (range 198-1,494% vs 6-98%). One H. pylori-positive subject underwent treatment and breath ammonia levels shifted from the pattern seen in positive subjects to that seen in negative subjects. In conclusion, breath ammonia measurement for H. Pylori-positive and negative subjects showed distinct patterns. Breath ammonia measurement may be feasible as a diagnostic test for H. pylori.
authors.affiliation: Primary and Specialty Medical Care Service, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kearney
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hubbard
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Putnam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000641:Ammonia / Q000032:analysis*; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014508:Urea / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000641:Ammonia; D014508:Urea