Diagnosis of heliobacter pylori infection with the 13C-urea breath test: evaluation of two different breath sample collectors and assesment of four different sample collection intervals

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a worldwide problem. Depending on the geographic region the percentage of the population varies, but almost half the global population is infected. Usually acquired during childhood, in most cases the infection goes without clinical symptoms, but untreated H. pylori infection can have serious complications, resulting in gastric adenocarcinoma in its most severe forms. To address this global health burden, a number of diagnostic test, both invasive and non-invasive were developed. In patients with less severe symptoms, and without the need of endoscopic examination, as well as in children, the urea breath test (UBT) is the gold standard in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.