Diagnostic accuracy of a rapid fecal test to confirm H pylori eradication after therapy: prospective comparison with a laboratory stool test.
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.
Trevisani
Lucio
L
Centro di Endoscopia Digestiva, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Arcispedale S Anna, C so Giovecca 203, Ferrara, Italy. tvl@unife.it
Cifalà
Viviana
V
Fusetti
Nadia
N
Gilli
Giuseppe
G
Tombesi
Paola
P
Torchiaro
Marco
M
Boccia
Sergio
S
Abbasciano
Vincenzo
V
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