title: Evaluation of a new rapid immunoassay for the detection of Helicobacter pylori in faeces: a prospective pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Detection of Helicobacter pylori antigen in faeces is a valid method to diagnose H. pylori infection. Presently available stool tests are performed in the laboratory, and diagnostic report is delayed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a new rapid stool test in a pre-treatment setting and to compare it with a validated laboratory stool test.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 105 patients underwent gastroscopy with brush cytology, and biopsies for histology and rapid urease test, to assess H. pylori presence. Helicobacter pylori-status was considered positive if at least two tests were positive; negative if all tests were negative; indeterminate if one test was positive and two negative. Stool specimens were tested using either a rapid immunoassay kit (ImmunoCard STAT) or a laboratory enzyme immunoassay kit (Hp StAR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty patients were infected with H. pylori, 44 non-infected, one indeterminate. The sensitivity and specificity of ImmunoCard STAT were 85 and 93%; those of Hp StAR were 88 and 100% (not significant).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ImmunoCard STAT seems a reliable method for detecting H. pylori in untreated patients. It could replace laboratory stool tests, as it is easy and can be performed quickly. These characteristics might be a breakthrough for diagnosing H. pylori in the doctor's office.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Endoscopy Centre, Medical Department, S. Anna Hospital, Ferrara, Italy. tvl@unife.it
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Trevisani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sartori
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruina
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Matarese
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gullini
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Abbasciano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic