Annals of Clinical Microbiology, The official Journal of the Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology
Original article

Evaluation of Urea Breath Test for the Detection of Helicobacter pylori Infection

Jongwook Lee, M.D., Nam Keum Lee*, M.T., Soo Hwan Pai*, M.D., Pum Soo Kim**, M.D., Won Choi, M.D., Don Hang Lee, M.D., Hyung Gil**, M.D., and Young Soo Kim**, M.D.

Department of Clinical Pathology, Konyang University Hospital, Taejon, Departments of Clinical Pathology*, Internal Medicine**, Inha University Medical College, Inchon, Korea

Corresponding to Jongwook Lee

Ann Clin Microbiol 2000;3(2):111-115.
Copyright © Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology.

Abstract

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)

Keywords

Helicobacter pylori, Urea breath test