Which test is used to detect Helicobacter pylori infection?

Which test is used to detect Helicobacter pylori infection?

• A. Urea Breath Test
• B. Upper Endoscopy
• C. Hemoccult Test
• D. Esophageal Manometry

Answer: (A)

Testing for Helicobacter pylori hinges on its urease activity. In the urea breath test, a person ingests labeled urea. If H. pylori is present in the stomach, its urease enzyme splits the urea into carbon dioxide and ammonia. The labeled carbon dioxide is then detected in the breath, confirming active infection. This noninvasive test is highly accurate and also useful to confirm eradication after treatment once any acid-suppressing therapy has been paused for the recommended period. Be aware that recent antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, or bismuth can affect results, so those should be stopped before testing. Other options involve invasive procedures or assess different signs (like blood in stool or esophageal function) and do not specifically detect H. pylori infection, so they aren’t the usual method for this purpose.

Testing for Helicobacter pylori hinges on its urease activity. In the urea breath test, a person ingests labeled urea. If H. pylori is present in the stomach, its urease enzyme splits the urea into carbon dioxide and ammonia. The labeled carbon dioxide is then detected in the breath, confirming active infection. This noninvasive test is highly accurate and also useful to confirm eradication after treatment once any acid-suppressing therapy has been paused for the recommended period. Be aware that recent antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, or bismuth can affect results, so those should be stopped before testing. Other options involve invasive procedures or assess different signs (like blood in stool or esophageal function) and do not specifically detect H. pylori infection, so they aren’t the usual method for this purpose.