Abstract | BACKGROUND/AIMS: The (13)C-urea breath test (UBT) is a semiquantitative test for measuring Helicobacter pylori infection loading. H. pylori produces ammonia, which elevates the pH of the gastric mucosa and is detectable via endoscopy using a phenol red indicator. We evaluated whether this test could be used to diagnose H. pylori infection and whether phenol red staining was correlated with (13)C-UBT results. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-three patients participated. The UBT was performed after ingestion of a capsule containing urea. A change in (13)C-UBT >2 ppt was selected as the cutoff value for diagnosing infection. After spraying evenly with a 0.1% phenol red solution, the pH of the gastric mucosal surface was measured using an antimony electrode through the biopsy channel. RESULTS: The pH of stained mucosa (6.9+/-0.4) was significantly higher than that of unstained mucosa (1.9+/-0.8; p<0.001), and the H. pylori detection rate confirmed via histology was higher in stained versus unstained mucosa (p<0.01). Extensive mucosal staining resulted in a higher detection rate (p<0.001). The UBT produced results were very similar to those obtained via histological detection in stained mucosa (p<0.001). The extent of staining, expressed as a staining score, was positively correlated with the change in (13)C-UBT (r=0.426, p<0.001). A significant correlation was also observed between the histologically determined H. pylori density and (13)C-UBT results (r=0.674, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection elevates gastric mucosal surface pH, and endoscopic phenol red staining may be an alternative method for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.
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Authors | Young-Seok Cho, Hiun-Suk Chae, Se Na Jang, Jin-Soo Kim, Hye Suk Son, Hyung-Keun Kim, Byung-Wook Kim, Sok-Won Han, Kyu-Yong Choi, Hae Kyung Lee, Eun Deok Chang |
Journal | The Korean journal of internal medicine
(Korean J Intern Med)
Vol. 23
Issue 3
Pg. 134-9
(Sep 2008)
ISSN: 1226-3303 [Print] Korea (South) |
PMID | 18787366
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Urease
- Phenolsulfonphthalein
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Breath Tests
- Clinical Enzyme Tests
- Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
- Esophageal pH Monitoring
- Female
- Gastric Mucosa
(pathology)
- Helicobacter Infections
(diagnosis)
- Helicobacter pylori
(isolation & purification)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Phenolsulfonphthalein
- Urease
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