Comparative Evaluation of Antigen and Antibody Detection Tests Used for the Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Symptomatic Patients in Aboguta

Abstract

This study was across sectional study conducted during the period from 10th of May 2015 to the 3rd of June 2015 to compare between antigen and antibody detection tests used for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in symptomatic patient's attending heath facilities in Aboguta city. The aim of this study was to compare between stool antigen and blood antibody test methods for the detection of Helicobacter pylori which is a major cause of peptic ulcer and several upper gastrointestinal disorders. Randomly 100 serum and stool specimens were obtained from symptomatic patients attending Aboguta health facilities for the detection of H.pylori positive patients. Fifty two patients were female, while 48 were male. The range of the age of the patients was between 11 years and 79 years with mean age of 39 years old. The data was obtained by questionnaire. The stool samples were analyzed for H.pylori antigen while the serum was analyzed for IgG antibody by immunochromatography test cards. The total number of the infected patients was 82(82%). Seventy two (88%) of the infected patients were seropositive, while 36(44%) of the infected patients were antigen positive. Out of the 82 patients only 23(28%) were both antigen antibody positive and 10(12%) were antigen positive and antibody negative. In this study the results showed that there was difference between the antigen positive (36/100) and antibody positive specimens (72/100) from the tested patients, which underline the need for more sensitive techniques for the diagnosis of H.pylori infection. Urea breath test and culture in addition to molecular techniques could be used for further research. In conclusion, since serological techniques are widely used for the detection of H.pylori it is recommended to do both fecal antigen and serum antibody detection tests for the diagnosis of H.pylori infection to avoid false positive results. Culture and sensitivity might be used to confirm the findings and eradication of the bacteria.