Testing for Helicobacter pylori will allow you to quickly answer the question of whether you are a carrier of this bacterium, and thus - whether there is a risk of developing peptic ulcer disease (H. pylori is responsible for it in most cases) or other diseases stomach. Check what tests should be performed to detect H. pylori infection and how to interpret their results.

Helicobacter pyloriis a bacterium that accounts for about 70 percent of cases of gastric ulcer and about 95%. cases of duodenal ulcer, and can also cause other serious diseases of the digestive system, such as cancer or gastric lymphoma. To detectH infection. pyloriand to find out if there is a risk of developing these diseases, you should perform the appropriate diagnostic tests.Testing forHelicobacter pyloriis divided into non-invasive and invasive tests. The latter require a fragment of the gastric mucosa from the patient.

Helicobacter pylori - indications for the test

Carrying out tests for the presence ofH. pyloriis indicated for people who complain, inter alia, of for nausea, vomiting, frequent heartburn, discomfort after a meal and stomach pain. These are symptoms that suggest peptic ulcer disease or other gastrointestinal diseases that may be caused byH. pylori . These tests can also be performed in patients with recurrent gastric and duodenal ulcers.

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Helicobacter pylori - non-invasive tests

  • helicobacter pylori - blood test

The purpose of the blood test is to determine IgG antibodies againstH. pylori , as well as IgA antibodies. The norm is a negative test result, i.e. no antibodies in the blood. Their presence indicates infection.

Important

The presence of antibodies in the blood only confirms contact with the bacterium, but does not indicate an actual infection. Only the stool and respiratory tests (as well as invasive tests) will detect an actual infection.

The most effective, non-invasive test for the presence ofH. pyloriis a breath test. It is called the "gold standard" in the non-invasive diagnosis of this infectionbacteria.

  • helicobacter pylori - stool test

- stool culture - transfer of bacteria from stool to special media for their multiplication - the norm is the lack of H. pylori in the culture - a test detecting bacterial RNA - RNA are ribonucleic acids, which are the genetic material of bacteria. The norm is the absence of H. pylori RNA - determination of H. pylori antigen in the stool sample. The norm is a negative test result, i.e. no presence of

antigens
  • helicobacter pylori - breath test

The purpose of the breath test is to examine the content of the so-called heavy carbon in the exhaled air. This carbon comes from the breakdown of urea by urease - the enzyme of bacteriaH. pylori , which is not found in the stomach of a he althy person.

The first stage of the test is blowing air into a special bag. In the second step, the patient is given an acidic liquid to drink (citric acid or orange juice) and 13C-labeled urea (or less often 14C-radioisotope). After 30 minutes, the patient re-fills the special bag with blown air. Then the carbon level is measured in both air samples. It should be more or less the same in both samples. However, if the carbon concentration in the second sample was increased, we are dealing withH infection. pylori .

Helicobacter pylori - invasive research

Invasive examination for the presence ofH. pyloriis gastroscopy. During this procedure, you can take gastric mucosa samples for:

  • histopathological examination - examination of the collected tissue fragment under the microscope
  • urease test (CLO-test) - the taken section of the gastric mucosa is placed on a special disc containing urea and a dye. The latter changes color as a result of urease breakdown by urease - an enzyme produced byH. pylori . The color change confirms the presence of urease and thus the bacteriaH. pylori .
Important

BacteriaHelicobacter pyloriis often quite irregular in the stomach and / or duodenum. On the other hand, the gastric mucosa section taken during gastroscopy is very small, therefore there is a risk that bacteria will not be found in a given section, despite the fact that they live in the stomach and / or duodenum.

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Research