Biometric Evaluation of Gastric Urease Activity in Man

Abstract

The 14C-urea breath test is claimed to be the best test for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection. We present a procedure for estimating its cutoff value on the basis of biometric evaluation only, without involving other diagnostic methods. Cumulative gastric urease activity (CA) was determined during the first 30 min after oral administration of 14C-urea (92.5 kBq) in 56 random volunteers and 49 consecutive patients with peptic ulcer disease. The distribution of CA in random volunteers was positively skewed. Logarithmic transformation yielded two separate populations, each normally distributed. Their normal probability density functions intercepted at log cutoff value. A bimodal distribution of log CA was confirmed in patients with peptic ulcer disease before and after treatment aimed at H. pylori eradication. Cutoff values were determined for both random volunteers and patients with peptic ulcer disease. By application of the present procedure for determination of cutoff value, the 14C-urea breath test distinguishes between individuals who have an increased gastric urease activity and individuals who do not, with the smallest possible arbitrariness.

Increased Frequency of Antral CD4+ T and CD19+ B Cells in Patients with Helicobacter pylori‐Related Peptic Ulcer Disease

“…The mean ages (SD) in subgroups were 55 (15) for HP-negative macroscopic gastritis, 52 (14) for HP-positive nonulcer gastritis and 57 (8) for HP-positive ulcer patients.…”

Increased Mucosal Production of Monomeric IgA1 but No IgA1 Protease Activity in Helicobacter pylori Gastritis

“…20 In an earlier study in our laboratory, the same immunofluorescence method had a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 85% compared with the 14 C-urea breath test. 21,22 Omission of the primary antibody reagent abolished the staining completely. Tissue sections from routinely formalin-fixed gastric body specimens obtained by endoscopy from two patients, one positive and the other negative for H. pylori infection as determined by the 14 C-urea breath test, were used for immunofluorescence performance control.…”

Prognostic factors for relapse of reflux oesophagitis and symptoms during 12 months of therapy with lansoprazole

“…Values in excess of 1.7% were considered pathological. 13 All tests were performed when patients had been without antisecretory treatment for 7 days or more.…”

“…13 A fasting patient was given 14 C-labelled urea to drink and 30 min later expired radioactivity was compared to the ingested dose. Values in excess of 1.7% were considered pathological.…”