Helicobacter Pylori Test - Information on Blood Antibody Test, Urea Breath Test, Stool Antigen Test and Stomach Biopsy Test

Helicobacter Pylori Test

The Helicobacter pylori test is usually done to detect an infection caused by the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria. This bacterium is usually present in the upper part of the small intestine or the duodenum. The bacterium is associated with the formation of peptic ulcers along the lining of the intestines. It may be present in the body without causing any apparent harm, however, its presence is enough to warrant potential damage and therefore corrective measures should be taken immediately to remove the bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract.

It is not possible to remove these bacteria from the body without the proper treatment, therefore, the tests to reveal their presence in our body become all the more essential. There are four different tests used to detect the infection. Unfortunately, even though these tests use highly sophisticated techniques, they can sometimes produce misleading results because of which in many cases the doctors keep on prescribing medication even after the infection has been completely treated.

Types of Tests to Remove Bacteria

•    Blood antibody test

This test is used to check for antibodies which the body makes when the bacteria is present in the body. If there are antibodies in the blood stream, it can either be because of the presence of the bacteria in the body or a past infection. If you have been infected in the past and received medication for it, the tests will be positive. However, you may not have an infection. Therefore, it is important to note that these tests are only accurate if you have never received any medications for H. Pylori infection.

•    Urea breath test

Using a breath test, helicobacter pylori bacteria’s presence can be detected. However, this is a test which is not available very widely. The test makes use of radioactive carbon to detect presence of the bacteria. This is an expensive test with inconsistent results.

•    Stool Antigen Test

The Helicobacter Pylori Stool Antigen Test is the one test that provides the most accurate and conclusive results. In this test, the stool of the person is checked to determine the presence of substances which may trigger the body to produce antibodies. This test may be recommended to support the diagnosis received from the other two tests.

•    Stomach Biopsy Test

For this test, a sample from the stomach lining is taken using endoscopy. On this biopsy sample, various tests are performed. Though this is a time consuming and expensive test, it may lead to results which are inconsistent when compared with the results from the other H. Pylori tests