Evaluation of a novel 14C-urea breath test "Heliprobe" in diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND

At present, (14)C-urea breath test is considered a gold standard for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection, but they are time-consuming, comparably expensive, and usually not portable tests. The aim of our study was to establish the diagnostic value of the novel, inexpensive, quick, and convenient to use (14)C-urea breath test "Heliprobe", Noster AB, Sweden.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Helicobacter pylori testing using "Heliprobe" was performed in 108 consecutive patients. Helicobacter pylori was also investigated using rapid urease test and Giemsa stained histological specimens according to Sydney system.

RESULTS

The diagnostic values of "Heliprobe" assuming the Helicobacter pylori positivity, if the results of two tests (rapid urease test and histology) are positive, were: sensitivity--97%, specificity--87%, positive predictive value--93%, negative predictive value--95%, accuracy--94%. The diagnostic values of "Heliprobe" assuming the Helicobacter pylori positivity, if at least the results of one test are positive: sensitivity--92%, specificity--100%, positive predictive value--100%, negative predictive value--84%, accuracy--94%. CONCLUSIONS. The novel, quick, convenient to use (14)C-urea breath test "Heliprobe" is accurate, reliable, and useful for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in routine clinical practice.