An office-based serological test for detection of current Helicobacter pylori infection:: is it useful?

Objective. To compare the accuracy of a new office-based serological test for the detection of current Helicobacter pylori infection with gastric histopathology. Methods. An off ice-based serological test for detection of current H. pylori infection was performed in 92 consecutive patients with dyspeptic symptoms. The result of this test was compared blindly with the rapid urease test and histopathology for H. pylori on gastric biopsies. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of this test were calculated against the histopathology. Results. Among 92 patients, H. pylori was detected by histopathology and rapid urease test in 61 (66%) and 56 (60%) patients, respectively. Meanwhile the serological test diagnosed current H. pylori infection in 55 patients (59%). On comparison against the histology, the sensitivity and specificity of this new serological test was 85 and 90%, respectively. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value of this test were 94 and 76%, and the accuracy was 87% in this study. Conclusion. The specificity and sensitivity of the serological test was found comparable with histopathology in the diagnosis of current H. pylori infection. This test is a useful tool for rapid diagnosis of H. pylori in out patients' setting.