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