Abstract

URRESTARAZU, M. I et al. Evaluation of an immunoenzymatic assay for the detection of Helicobacter pylori in stool samples. Rev. Soc. Ven. Microbiol. [online]. 2001, vol.21, n.2, pp.23-25. ISSN 1315-2556.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of an enzyme immunoassay (HpSA) for detection of Helicobacter pylori in stools. Eighty patients from the Gastroenterology Service of the Vargas Hospital at Caracas with indication of upper digestive endoscopy were studied, taking samples from gastric mucosa for histology, rapid urease test, culture and blood for serology. They were considered infected when the culture or 2 of the other tests were positive. Presence of Helicobacter pylori antigens in stool samples were determined through the HpSA test and the results compared with the positivity determination, finding 100% sensitivity and 79% specificity. These results suggest that the HpSA test, even though expensive, is a non-invasive method, easy to perform and useful for the primary diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Keywords : Helicobacter pylori; heces; ensayo inmunoenzimático; diagnóstico.