Evaluation of Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test before and after eradication therapy

• Published in: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 2003-06, Vol.18 (6), p.732-738
• Main Authors: TANAKA, AKIFUMI, WATANABE, KAZUHIRO, TOKUNAGA, KENGO, HOSHIYA, SATOSHI, IMASE, KIYOTO, SUGANO, HAJIME, SHINGAKI, MASAO, KAI, AKEMI, ITOH, TAKESHI, ISHIDA, HITOSHI, TAKAHASHI, SHIN'ICHI
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Antigens, Bacterial; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Breath Tests; Carbon Radioisotopes; diagnosis; Digestive system; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; eradication therapy; False Positive Reactions; Feces - chemistry; Female; Helicobacter Infections - diagnosis; Helicobacter Infections - drug therapy; Helicobacter Infections - pathology; Helicobacter pylori; Helicobacter pylori - immunology; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Japan; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Proton Pumps - therapeutic use; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sensitivity and Specificity; stool antigen; Treatment Outcome; Urea; Urease
• ISSN: 0815-9319; 1440-1746
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1746.2003.03057.x

Background and Aim: The Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HpSA) test is useful for initial diagnosis of H. pylori infection, but there is disagreement regarding its diagnostic accuracy after eradication therapy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the HpSA test before and after eradication therapy. Methods: One hundred and thirty‐six patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsies for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection using culture, histology and the rapid urease test. Fifty‐four H. pylori‐positive patients were treated with 1‐week triple therapy. Six to 10 weeks after the end of therapy, the patients underwent re‐endoscopy and received the same biopsy‐based methods. In addition, the 13C‐urea breath test was performed. The HpSA test was performed before and 6–10 weeks after the end of therapy. In 23 patients, the HpSA test was also performed at the end of therapy. Results: Before therapy, the sensitivity and specificity of the HpSA test was 98.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 95.9–100%) and 95.0% (95% CI: 75.1–99.9%), respectively. At the end of therapy, the HpSA tests were all negative both for eradication and non‐eradication patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the HpSA test after eradication therapy were 90% (95% CI: 55.5–99.7%) and 97.7% (95% CI: 93.3–100%), respectively. Conclusions: The HpSA test is a useful method for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection before and after eradication therapy.