Serodiagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection by immunoblot assay.
We compared a noninvasive serological test using a commercial immunoblot assay (Helicoblot 2.0) to tissue-based methods [rapid urease test (CLO test), histology and culture] in eighty Thai patients undergoing upper endoscopy. A true positive test was defined as at least two of the biopsy-related tests being positive. The CLO test was the most accurate test with sensitivity and specificity as high as 100%, whereas histology and culture had sensitivity of 100% and 72.2%, respectively, and the specificity of 72.7% and 96%, respectively. The serological test had a high sensitivity (97.2%) but exhibited an unsatisfactory specificity (40.9%). We concluded that the rapid urease test using multiple gastric biopsies was the most appropriate method for diagnosing H. pylori status. The role of immunoblot assay as a serological screening test in our population remains doubtful, but it may identify patients who have been infected with certain strains of H. pylori.
Mahachai
V
V
Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkom University Hospital, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Tangkijvanich
P
P
Wannachai
N
N
Sampatanukul
P
P
Lertpocasombat
K
K
Kladchareon
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000150:complications; D014510:Urease / Q000032:analysis
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D014510:Urease