EVALUATION OF NON-INVASIVE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS FOR HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION IN SYMPTOMATIC PATIENTS AND HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

Abstract

Background: This study was carried out to determine the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in patients who suffered from symptoms and signs of gastritis and gastric ulcer by using non-invasive techniques and to detect the highly sensitive, specific and accurate diagnostic tests. Methods: A total of 100 serum and faecal samples from 70 patients presenting with symptoms of gastritis or peptic ulcer disease and 30 healthy volunteers were tested at King Fahd Hospital, Jazan, Saudi Arabia from September 2010 to March 2011. Samples were cultured for H. pylori detection and investigated for presence of H. pylori antigen in stool, and stomach, and presence of anti-H. pylori antibodies in serum by ¹⁴C-Urea Breath Test (C-UBT) and H. Pylori Stool Antigen (HpSA). Results: Among the 70 suspected patients, H. pylori was isolated from the faecal samples of 60 (85.7%) patients by culture. Results of C-UBT were positive in 64 patients and negative in 29 volunteers. HpSA results were positive in 70 patients and 1 volunteer, and HpSA was negative in 29 volunteers. H. pylori (IgG, IgM and IgA) antibodies and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 98%, 100%, and 99% respectively. Conclusion: We present and recommend a technique which has sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing Helicopacter Pylori.