Diagnosis of <I>Helicobacter pylori</I> Infection in Primary Practice

대한Helicobacter 연구학회지 2001;1(1):39-43.
Published online December 30, 2001.

Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Primary Practice

1차 의료기관에서의 Helicobacter pylori 감염의 진단법

윤병철

한양대학교 의과대학 내과학교실

Abstract

Diagnostic methods of H. pylori infection are divided into noninvasive and invasive methods. Noninvaive methods include urea breath test, serologic test, H. pylori stool antigen test and other immunologic tests. Invasive tests using endoscopy include rapid urease test, histologic test, culture and P.C.R. In areas with a high prevalence of gastric cancer like Korea, invasive diagnostic tests using endoscopy is required for primary diagnosis of H. pylori. So rapid urease test and histologic test are most widely used in primary practice of Korea before eradication therapy. Urea breath test can be used in primary practice for confirming eradication of H. pylori if proper transportation system is available. Sensitivity and specificity of H. pylori stool antigen test are comparable to those of urea breath test even after eradication therapy. H. pylori stool antigen test is noninvasive, accurate, simple and cost-effective. So it has the potential to become the preferred method in primary practice. (Korean J Helicobacter Res Prac 2001;1:39-43)

Key Words: Helicobacter pylori, Histology, Rapid urease test, Stool antigen test, Urea breath test