Evaluation of a rapid stoolantigen test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in Chinese patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of a rapid assay that wasdeveloped to detect Helicobacter pylori antigen in the stool,using the principle of immunochromatography, in the Chinese population.METHODS: Eligible patients without prior treatment of H.pylori were recruited. An in‐house rapid urease test (RUT) andhistology were used as the gold standard. The results of the rapidstool antigen test were compared with the gold standard.RESULTS: Valid rapid stool antigen test results for interpretationwere obtained from 94 consecutive patients (mean age: 52.5, range:22−82 years). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictivevalue, negative predictive value and accuracy were, respectively, 77.5%,87.0%, 81.6%, 83.9% and 83.0%.The test was easy to perform and results were available within 15 min.CONCLUSION: The rapid stool antigen test using immunochromatography accuratelydiagnoses H. pylori infection in Chinese patients.