Comparison of new faecal antigen test with 13C-urea breath test for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection and monitoring eradication treatment: prospective clinical evaluation

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Abstract
The 13C-urea breath test is currently regarded as the best non-invasive diagnostic method for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection, even when monitoring efficacy of treatment.1–2 Serological methods are not appropriate for such monitoring as antibodies stay for months after successful eradication.3 A newly developed immunoassay that detects bacterial antigens in a faeces specimen might constitute a non-invasive technique for evaluating the efficacy of eradication regimens shortly after treatment is stopped. In this prospective study we compared a new antigen test for H pylori in faeces4 with the reference method of monitoring treatment, the 13C-urea breath test. We intended to evaluate the clinical validity of the test for first diagnosis of H pylori infection and for monitoring efficacy of eradication treatment. Ninety participants (46 men, 44 women; age range 18-82 years) complaining about dyspeptic symptoms were screened for H pylori infection with …