Diagnostic value of an immunoassay to detect anti Campylobacter pylori antibodies in non-ulcer dyspepsia.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of IgG antibodies against Campylobacter pylori was used to examine sera from 70 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia. 48 patients had C pylori associated gastritis according to culture or histology; mean optical density (OD) of the ELISA was significantly higher than that for the 22 patients with normal antral mucosa and absence of C pylori. Positive and negative predictive values for campylobacter-associated gastritis were 100% above OD 2.10 and below OD 1.00, respectively. Serology might replace endoscopy in the diagnosis of campylobacter-associated gastritis.