title: Diagnostic accuracy of a rapid fecal test to confirm H pylori eradication after therapy: prospective comparison with a laboratory stool test.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the clinical performances of rapid stool test (ImmunoCard STAT HpSA, Meridian Diagnostic Inc.) in the evaluation of eradication therapy of H pylori and to compare it with a well-known and validated laboratory stool test (Amplified IDEA Hp StAR, Dako).
  
  
  METHODS
  Stool samples of 122 patients were evaluated after eradication therapy of H pylori. H pylori status was assessed by 13C-urea breath test (UBT). Stool specimens were tested using either the rapid immunoassay kit or the laboratory immunoassay kit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-three patients were infected and 79 non-infected. Sensitivity and specificity of ImmunoCard STAT and Hp StAR were 58.14% and 76.4%, and 97.47% and 98.73%, respectively (P > 0.05). Overall agreement between the two tests was 92.6% (113 of 122 cases).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ImmunoCard STAT seems to have rather low performances, and it cannot be regarded as a reliable tool in the post-treatment setting. Also Hp StAR cannot be recommended to confirm H pylori eradication after treatment.
authors.affiliation: Centro di Endoscopia Digestiva, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Arcispedale S Anna, C so Giovecca 203, Ferrara, Italy. tvl@unife.it
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Trevisani
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cifalà
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fusetti
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gilli
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tombesi
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torchiaro
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boccia
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Abbasciano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity