Accurate Diagnosis of Helicobacter Pylori Infection by Stool Antigen Test and 6 Other Currently Available Tests in Children

Abstract

Invasive and noninvasive test have been developed for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. Because H pylori infection in acquired in childhood and adolescence, accurate diagnosis of the infection in the pediatric population is important. We conducted a study to compare invasive tests: culture, biopsy urease test, histology, and polymerase chain reaction on gastric biopsy specimens, with noninvasive tests : serology, 13C-urea breath test, and a new diagnostic modality, stool antigen test to diagnose H pylori infection. A total of 53 children with symptoms were enrolled in this study, and all had completed the 7 diagnostic tests for H pylori, All the diagnostic test except serology were excellent methods of diagnosing H pylori infection in children; the diagnostic accuracy was as follows : stool antigen test 96.2%, biopsy urease test 96.2 %, histology 98.1%, polymerase chain reaction 94.3%, culture 98.1%, 13C-urea breath test 100%, and serology 84.9%. The stool antigen test, being highly sensitive and specific, will be potentially very helpful in diagnosing H pylori infection in children .