Guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) recommend testing for H pylori infection in patients with unexplained iron deficiency anemia. Consideration of testing in adults with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is also recommended.
The H pylori fecal antigen test is both highly specific (98%) and sensitive (94%) at detecting H pylori infection. The carbon-13 urea breath test can also be used with good reliability.
H pylori serology has high (greater than 90%) specificity and sensitivity and can be useful for detecting an infected patient; however, it is not a good test for assessing whether eradication therapy was successful because the results do not indicate active infection. The antibody titer may remain elevated for an extended period following H pylori eradication.
Testing is not indicated in patients with typical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease unless there is a history of PUD or dyspeptic symptoms.
Learn more about the workup for H pylori.
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Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: B.S. Anand, Steven F. Moss. Fast Five Quiz: Helicobacter pylori - Medscape - Jan 20, 2022.
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