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.
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)
Helicobacter pylori, Urea breath test
