Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection occurs when H. pylori bacteria infect your stomach. H. pylori infection is very common and affects about half the human race. Three routes of transmission have been described; iatro-genetic (due to medical procedure), faecal – oral and oral – oral transmission. H. pylori is definitely associated with antral gastritis, and in some patients, the sequence of progression to intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and carcinoma means that it is a cause of gastric antral carcinoma. H. pylori infection is a cause of localized gastric lymphoma (MALToma).

Most people don't realize they have H. pylori infection, because they never get sick from it. If you develop signs and symptoms of a peptic ulcer, your doctor will probably test you for H. pylori infection.

Causes:

The exact way H. pylori infects someone is still unknown. H. pylori bacteria may be passed from person to person through direct contact with saliva, vomit or fecal matter. H. pylori may also be spread through contaminated food or water.

Symptoms:

·        An ache or burning pain in your abdomen

·        Abdominal pain that's worse when your stomach is empty

·        Nausea

·        Loss of appetite

·        Frequent burping

·        Bloating

·        Unintentional weight loss

At MedLabs we provide three diagnostic tests:

·        Helicobacter pylori Antigen in stool

This test is particularly appropriate for the diagnosis of H. pylori in children or those who prefer providing the sample in the privacy of their homes. However, this test should not be offered to patients on antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, and bismuth preparations because these substances can inhibit the growth of H. pylori and cause false negative results.

·        Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin antibodies (IgA & IgG )

Infection of the gastric mucosa with H. pylori results in systemic as well as local immune responses, including elevation of specific IgG and IgA levels in serum. In the absence of therapeutic intervention, antibody levels remain elevated, perhaps for a lifetime, reflecting the duration of infection. After eradication of H. pylori, specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA levels tend to decrease, typically to approximately half of the pre-treatment value within 6 months.

·        Urea Breath test for H. pylori (UBT)

H. pylori produces an enzyme called urease, which breaks urea down into ammonia and carbon dioxide. A tablet containing urea is swallowed and the amount of exhaled carbon dioxide is measured. This indicates the presence of H. pylori in the stomach.

*(you need to be fasting for two hours for UBT test)

For further information or instructions do not hesitate to contact us on +96265900090 ext 305

References:

Mayoclinic.org

Webmd.com

Labwise