Mobile Site ›
Print Page Email Page
Print Friendly View

Test ID: HPSA    
Helicobacter pylori Antigen, Feces

Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

As an aid in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori

 

Monitoring the eradication of Helicobacter pylori after therapy (in most situations, confirmation of eradication is not mandatory)

 

The utility of this test in asymptomatic individuals is not known, but testing for Helicobacter pylori in such individuals is not generally recommended

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Helicobacter pylori is well recognized as the cause of chronic active gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and nonulcer dyspepsia.

 

Currently accepted methods for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection include serologic tests, the urea breath test (UBT), and culture or histologic examination or direct urease testing (CLO test) of biopsy specimens obtained at the time of gastroduodenoscopy (ENDO). Each of these tests has its drawbacks, including lack of specificity (serology) or high cost, complexity, and inconvenience for the patient (UBT and ENDO).

 

See Helicobacter pylori Diagnostic Algorithm in Special Instructions.

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Negative

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

Positive results indicate the presence of Helicobacter pylori antigen in the stool.

 

Negative results indicate the absence of detectable antigen but does not eliminate the possibility of infection due to Helicobacter pylori.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Stool must be mixed thoroughly to ensure representative sampling.

 

This is a qualitative, not a quantitative, test.

 

Falsely negative results may be obtained within 2 weeks of treatment with antimicrobials, bismuth, or proton pump inhibitors. A negative test result in such a situation should be followed up with a repeat test at least 2 weeks after discontinuing therapy.

 

Interfering Substances: The following substances that may be present in human stool, DO NOT interfere with positive or negative test results at the stated concentrations per 500 microliters of human stool: TUMS (10 mg), Mylanta (0.84 mg), Pepto Bismol ( 0.35 mg), Tagamet (1 mg), Prilosec OTC (1 mg), barium sulfate (10 mg), whole blood (100 microliters), mucin (6.7 mg), human hemoglobin (ie, dark stool) (15 mg), steric + palmitic acids (ie, fatty stool) (7.9 mg).

 

Performance characteristics of the test have not been established for watery, diarrheal stools.

Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. NIH Consensus Development Panel. Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer disease. JAMA 1994;272:65-69

2. Report of the Digestive Health Initiative. International Update Conference on H. pylori. Tysons Corner, McLean, VA, Feb 13-16, 1997

Special Instructions and Forms Describes specimen collection and preparation information, test algorithms, and other information pertinent to test. Also includes pertinent information and consent forms to be used when requesting a particular test