title: Detection of Helicobacter pylori in Gastric Aspirates Using a Monoclonal Antibody-Based Test.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate a monoclonal antibody-based test to detect Helicobacter pylori-specific antigen in gastric aspirates from humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-one volunteers were enrolled in the study. All of the subjects underwent a (13)C-urea breath test (UBT) before esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Gastric aspirates were analyzed for pH and ammonia and used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR), culture, and monoclonal antibody-based detection of H. pylori. Multiple biopsies of the gastric antrum and body were obtained for a rapid urease test (RUT) and histological evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-six subjects were H. pylori-positive and 25 were H. pylori-negative according to the UBT results. Compared with the H. pylori-negative subjects, H. pylori-positive subjects had a higher pH (4.77±1.77 vs 3.49±1.30, p<0.05) and ammonia level (1,130.9±767.4 vs 184.2±126.3, p<0.0001). The sensitivities and specificities of the PCR test, RUT, culture test, and monoclonal antibody-based test were 100% and 72%, 89% and 100%, 47% and 100%, and 78% and 100%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The monoclonal antibody-based test for diagnosing H. pylori infection in gastric aspirates has increased sensitivity compared with the culture test and specificity as high as that of the RUT. The test may be useful as an additive test for examining gastric aspirates.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Carollo Hospital, Suncheon, Korea.
authors: Ho Dong
authors: HD
authors: Kim
authors: Do Hyun
authors: DH
authors: Kim
authors: Hyeuk
authors: H
authors: Park
authors: Woo Jong
authors: WJ
authors: Kim
authors: Yong Soo
authors: YS
authors: Ahn
authors: Young Jik
authors: YJ
authors: Lee
authors: Sun Mi
authors: SM
authors: Park
authors: Eun Seon
authors: ES
authors: Seo
authors: Chul
authors: C
authors: Park
authors: Yang Ho
authors: YH
authors: Kim
authors: Hyung Rag
authors: HR
authors: Kim
authors: Young Eun
authors: YE
authors: Joo
authors: Young Do
authors: YD
authors: Jung
keywords: Gastric aspirate; Helicobacter pylori; Monoclonal antibody-based test