Characteristics of Helicobacter pylori-Seropositive Subjects According to: A) The Stool Antigen Test Findings. B) Serum Pepsinogen Level. C) Upper Endoscopic Findings

Abstract

Abstract Background Helicobacter pylori infection can be diagnosed by invasive methods using the gastric biopsied specimens or non-invasively by examining serum, urine, breath, or stool. Histological examination by Giemsa staining is usually recommended for the diagnosis, but it is difficult to visualize the bacterium when there is alow density of H.Pylori on the gastric mucosa with atrophic and metaplastic changes, Limitations of histological examination include increased false negative test findings due to various density of H. pylori at a different sites, high cost, long turn-around time, and inter observer variability. Therefore, in endemic countries like Egypt with s higher risk of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), intestinal metaplasia, and gastric cancer, noninvasive tests need to be added for a more reliable diagnosis of H.Pylori infection. Aim of the Work The aim of this study is to compare between the prevalence of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and gastric corpus atrophy in Helicobacter pyloriseropositive subjects according to the stool antigen test, serum pepsinogen(PG) level and upper endoscopic findings. Patients and Methods The current study represents Cross- sectional study -Descriptive -Diagnostic study. This study had been carried at Ain Shams University and Abbasia fever hospital on 80 seropositive- patients attending to endoscopy ward for a regular check-up, All patients subjected to full history, clinical examination and investigation in the form of; complete blood count, serum antiH.Pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG), stool antigen test and serum pepsinogen. Results The current study showed that there was a significant difference between positive and negative H. pylori regarding pepsinogen I & II and endoscopic finding regarding CAG and CSG. Conclusion In conclusion, there is a link between positive stool H. pylori antigen test findings and a serum PG assay and upper endoscopic findings in seropositive subjects. Positive stool H. pylori antigen test findings are common in seropositive subjects with increased serum PG I levels indicating an ongoing H. pylori infection. Our study findings further suggest that, to reduce the infected subjects with H. pylori in their fecal material, seropositive subjects with increased gastric secreting ability need to be treated.