[Validation of a simplified 13C-urea breath test method for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection].
OBJECTIVE
To validate a simplified 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT) method for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.


METHODS
Patients referred for gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy were included, and a 13C-UBT was performed after a 6-hour fast. Breath samples were collected in 10 ml glass tubes before and 30 min after the simultaneous administration of 50 mg of 13C-urea and 2 g of citric acid in 200 ml of water. All breath samples were analyzed using isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The diagnosis of H. pylori infection was established with a positive culture and/or positive histology and serology.


RESULTS
Eighty-eight patients were included, 49 female and 39 male with a mean age of 45 +/- 15 yrs. Fifty-one patients (57.95%) were positive and 30 (34.1%) negative for H. pylori. Seven cases (7.95%) were considered undetermined. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for 13C-UBT were 90.2, 93.3, 95.83, and 84.8%, respectively. Accuracy was 91.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
The simultaneous administration of 50 mg of 13C-urea and 2 g of citric acid represents an alternative for the non-invasive diagnosis of H. pylori infection.
Ortiz-Olvera Nayeli
N X
NX
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Mexico.
Morán Villota
S
S
Gallardo Wong
I
I
Blancas Valencia
J M
JM
Cabrera Muñoz
L
L
D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods*; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D019343:Citric Acid; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014508:Urea
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D019343:Citric Acid; D014508:Urea