Description
Establish the presence and possible etiologic role of Helicobacter pylori in cases of chronic gastric ulcer, gastritis, duodenal ulcer, dyspepsia, etc. The Methodology is an Immunoassay.
Specimen
2 g (thumbnail size portion of stool), 2 mL liquid stool. A stool collection kit will be provided to you when you visit your lab draw center. You will than collect the sample and bring back to the lab draw center within 24 hours and store it in the refrigerator.
Specimen Storage
Specimen should be stored at 4°C or 39°F (refrigeration temperature)and transported to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection. If a longer period is required, the specimen should be frozen at -70°C or -94° F which is the same as being maintained on dry ice.
Interference
Antimicrobials, proton pump inhibitors, and bismuth preparations are known to suppress H pylori, and ingestion of these prior to H pylori testing may give a false-negative result. If a negative result is obtained for a patient ingesting these compounds within two weeks prior to performing the stool antigen test, it may be a false-negative result and the test should be repeated on a new specimen obtained two weeks after discontinuing treatment. A positive result for a patient ingesting these compounds within two weeks prior to performing the stool antigen test should be considered accurate.