Korean J Gastroenterol.  2018 Nov;72(5):229-236. 10.4166/kjg.2018.72.5.229.

Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection

Affiliations
  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. gastro@catholic.ac.kr

Abstract

Accurate diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is mandatory for the effective management of many gastroduodenal diseases. Currently, various diagnostic methods are available for detecting these infections, and the choice of method should take into account the clinical condition, accessibility, advantage, disadvantage, as well as cost-effectiveness. The diagnostic methods are divided into invasive (endoscopic-based) and non-invasive methods. Non-invasive methods included urea breath test, stool antigen test, serology, and molecular methods. Invasive methods included endoscopic imaging, rapid urease test, histology, culture, and molecular methods. In this article, we provide a review of the currently available options and recent advances of various diagnostic methods.

Keyword

Helicobacter pylori; Diagnosis; Guideline

MeSH Terms

Breath Tests
Diagnosis*
Helicobacter pylori*
Helicobacter*
Methods
Urea
Urease
Urea
Urease

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Rapid urase test. When Helicobacter pylori produce ammonia then pH will increase and the color of the medium will change from yellow to red.

  • Fig. 2 Giemsa stain. The Helicobacter pylori organisms (arrows) are present in Giemsa stain (×400).


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