Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is closely associated with gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma. We evaluated the reliability and usefulness of ¹³C-urea breath test (¹³C-UBT) for the detection of H. pylori infection and searched for the cut-off value of the test.

Method: We investigated 45 patients, who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with multiple biopsy specimens taken for culture, histology and rapid urease test, and ¹³C-UBT. Sensitivity and specificity of UBT were calculated against the combined biopsy-based test results.

Result: Of 45 patients, 26 were found to be H. pylori-positive according to combined biopsy-based test results. Sensitivity and specificity of the ¹³C-UBT were 100.0% and 89.5%, respectively.

Conclusion: The urea breath test provides a simple and reliable and noninvasive method of assessing H. pylori infection status. (Korean J Clin Microbiol 2000;3:111-115)