Evaluation of a Western blot technique (Helicoblot 2.1) for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in children.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the performance of Helicoblot 2.1 which differentiates the reactivity to each of the various Helicobacter pylori antigens, and compared the results with those obtained by standard techniques (rapid urease test and histological examination of gastric biopsy) in symptomatic children of different ages living in Antalya, Turkey.


METHODS
Eighty-eight children (mean age, 9.15 years) were divided into two groups. The first group included 66 children who were found to be infected with H. pylori. The second group included 22 children who were negative for H. pylori. Serum samples collected from all patients were tested for H. pylori IgG antibodies by immunoblot assay (Helicoblot 2.1).


RESULTS
The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for detection of H. pylori infection were 80%, 100%, 100% and 85%, respectively. In children under 7 years of age, the sensitivity of the test was found to be lower than other age groups (P<0.05). No relationship was found between peptic ulcer and cagA antibody positivity (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Helicoblot 2.1 is a useful non-invasive diagnostic tool for H. pylori infection in children over 6 years of age.
Department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, 07070 Antalya, Turkey. dilara@med.akdeniz.edu.tr
Dilara
D
Oğünç
Reha
R
Artan
Gözde
G
Ongüt
Tekinalp
T
Gelen
Dilek
D
Colak
Levent
L
Dönmez
Meral
M
Gültekin
D000293:Adolescent; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014510:Urease / Q000097:blood
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C080866:cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori; D014510:Urease