Rapid Urease Test and Faecal Antigen Detection for Rapid Diagnosis of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> Infection in Dyspepsia

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is considered as one of the most prevalent gastric infections which cause chronic gastritis and predispose to cancer stomach. So, diagnosis and eradication should be rapid to decrease the risk of gastric cancer. Aim of the study: To evaluate the role of rapid urease test (RUT) and faecal antigen test (FAT) added to serological test for rapid diagnosis of active H. pylori infection. Patients and methods: 270 patients with dyspepsia and positive serology for H. pylori infection were included. Two antral and two corporal gastric biopsies were taken for RUT and Histopathological examination. Fresh stool samples were obtained from all patients for FAT. Results: The mean age of the studied patients was 45 ± 25. H. pylori infection was found in 256 (94.8%) of the included patients: 236 (92.18%) with positive all tests, 5 (1.95%) with positive both RUT and FAT, 8 (3.12%) with positive both histology and RUT and 7 (2.73%) with positive histology and FAT. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values for RUT were as follows: 97.27%, 85.71% and 99.20% respectively and 96.88%, 85.71% and 99.20% respectively for FAT. Conclusions: RUT or FAT in patients with positive serological test could be used for rapid diagnosis of active H. pylori infection with good sensitivity and specificity without waiting for the results of histology or culture.