title: Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection: Current options and developments.
abstract: Accurate diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a crucial part in the effective management of many gastroduodenal diseases. Several invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tests are available for the detection of H. pylori and each test has its usefulness and limitations in different clinical situations. Although none can be considered as a single gold standard in clinical practice, several techniques have been developed to give the more reliable results. Invasive tests are performed via endoscopic biopsy specimens and these tests include histology, culture, rapid urease test as well as molecular methods. Developments of endoscopic equipment also contribute to the real-time diagnosis of H. pylori during endoscopy. Urea breathing test and stool antigen test are most widely used non-invasive tests, whereas serology is useful in screening and epidemiological studies. Molecular methods have been used in variable specimens other than gastric mucosa. More than detection of H. pylori infection, several tests are introduced into the evaluation of virulence factors and antibiotic sensitivity of H. pylori, as well as screening precancerous lesions and gastric cancer. The aim of this article is to review the current options and novel developments of diagnostic tests and their applications in different clinical conditions or for specific purposes.
authors.affiliation: Yao-Kuang Wang, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yao-Kuang
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Yao-Kuang Wang, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Fu-Chen
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.affiliation: Yao-Kuang Wang, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chung-Jung
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Yao-Kuang Wang, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Meng-Chieh
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Yao-Kuang Wang, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsiang-Yao
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.affiliation: Yao-Kuang Wang, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Sophie S W
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Yao-Kuang Wang, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jeng-Yih
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Yao-Kuang Wang, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chao-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.affiliation: Yao-Kuang Wang, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yao-Kang
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Yao-Kuang Wang, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Deng-Chyang
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001706:Biopsy; D001944:Breath Tests; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012698:Serologic Tests
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Bleeding; Diagnosis; Eradication; Gastrectomy; Helicobacter pylori; Invasive; Noninvasive; Oral specimen