Published online Mar 15, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i6.913
Revised: September 23, 2003
Accepted: October 12, 2003
Published online: March 15, 2004
AIM: To evaluate the reliability of the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test, ImmunoCard STAT HpSA, for detecting H pylori infection.
METHODS: Stool specimens were collected from 53 patients who received upper endoscopy examination due to gastrointestinal symptoms. ImmunoCard STAT HpSA was used to detect H pylori stool antigens. H pylori infection was detected based on three different tests: the urease test, Warthin-Starry staining and culture. H pylori status was defined as positive when both the urease test and histology or culture alone was positive.
RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values and the total accuracy of ImmunoCard STAT HpSA for the diagnosis of H pylori infection were 92.6% (25/27), 88.5% (23/26), 89.3% (25/28), 92% (23/25) and 90.6% (48/53), respectively.
CONCLUSION: The stool antigen test, ImmunoCard STAT HpSA, is a simple noninvasive and accurate test for the diagnosis of H pylori infection.