What tests should be done for Helicobacter pylori re examination

helicobacter pylori re examination usually requires carbon-13 or carbon-14 breath tests, fecal antigen testing, gastroscopy, and other examinations. The main methods for re examining Helicobacter pylori infection include carbon-13 breath test, carbon-14 breath test, fecal antigen test, gastroscopy examination, serum antibody test, etc.

1. Carbon-13 breath test

Carbon-13 breath test is a non-invasive method for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection, which involves patients taking urea capsules labeled with carbon-13 and collecting exhaled gas for detection. This method is non-invasive, safe, and accurate, and is suitable for special populations such as children and pregnant women. The carbon-13 breath test has high sensitivity and specificity, and is one of the commonly used methods for re examining Helicobacter pylori infection.

2. Carbon-14 breath test

The principle of carbon-14 breath test is similar to that of carbon-13 breath test, but it uses carbon-14 labeled urea. This method also has high accuracy, but carbon-14 has trace radioactivity and is not recommended for pregnant women and children. The carbon-14 breath test is easy to operate and produces fast results, making it suitable for most adults to undergo re examination for Helicobacter pylori infection.

3. Fecal antigen detection

Fecal antigen detection determines the infection status by detecting the antigen components of Helicobacter pylori in feces. This method does not require invasive procedures and is suitable for all age groups, especially for children and patients who are not suitable for gastroscopy examination. The accuracy of fecal antigen detection is relatively high, but attention should be paid to avoiding contamination during sampling and storage.

4. Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy can directly observe the condition of the gastric mucosa and perform rapid urease test or tissue biopsy during the examination process. This method can not only confirm Helicobacter pylori infection, but also evaluate the degree of damage to the gastric mucosa, and is suitable for patients with digestive symptoms or suspected gastric lesions. Gastroscopy is an invasive examination that requires professional doctors to perform.

5. Serum antibody detection

Serum antibody detection determines the infection status by detecting Helicobacter pylori antibodies in the blood. This method cannot distinguish between current and past infections and is usually used for epidemiological investigations or as an auxiliary diagnostic tool. The sensitivity of serum antibody detection is high, but the specificity is relatively low, and it is not recommended as the preferred method for re examination.

Antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors should be discontinued before Helicobacter pylori re examination to avoid affecting the test results. Daily diet should be light and easy to digest, avoiding spicy and stimulating foods, and maintaining good eating habits can help prevent the recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection. After re examination, standardized treatment should be carried out according to the doctor's advice, and regular follow-up should be conducted to ensure the eradication effect.