What is an H. pylori test?
H. pylori tests are used to check for a Helicobacter pylori bacteria infection in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine. H. pylori can cause peptic ulcers. But most people with this type of bacteria in their digestive systems do not get ulcers.
Different tests may be used to check for an H. pylori infection.
- Blood antibody test. This checks to see if your body has made antibodies to fight H. pylori bacteria.
- Urea breath test. It tests your breath to see if you have H. pylori bacteria in your stomach.
- Stool antigen test. This test looks for substances in your feces (stool) that trigger the immune system to fight an H. pylori infection. (These substances are called H. pylori antigens.)
- Stomach biopsy. A small sample (biopsy) is taken from the lining of your stomach and small intestine. The samples are checked for H. pylori.
Why is an H. pylori test done?
H. pylori tests are done to:
- Find out if an infection with H. pylori bacteria may be causing an ulcer or irritation of the stomach lining (gastritis).
- Find out if treatment for the infection worked.
How is an H. pylori test done for children?
Blood antibody test
A sample of your child's blood will be taken.
Urea breath test
A breath sample is collected when your child blows into a balloon or blows bubbles into a bottle of liquid. The doctor or nurse will:
- Collect a sample of your child's breath before the test starts.
- Give your child a pill, a liquid, or some water to swallow that contains tagged material.
- Collect more samples of your child's breath. The samples will be tested to see if they contain material formed when H. pylori comes into contact with the tagged material.
Stool antigen test
For this test, you may be asked to collect your child's stool sample at home. To collect the sample, you need to:
- Have your child pass stool into a dry container. Either solid or liquid stools can be collected. Be careful not to get urine or toilet paper in with the stool sample.
- Replace the container cap. Label the container with your child's name, the doctor's name, and the date the sample was collected.
- Wash your hands well after you collect the sample.
- Take the sealed container to the doctor's office or to the lab as soon as you can.
Stomach biopsy
A procedure called endoscopy is used to collect samples of tissue from the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. The tissue samples are tested in a lab to see if they contain H. pylori.
How do you prepare for an H. pylori test?
Blood antibody test
- You do not need to do anything before you have this test.
Urea breath test, stool antigen test, or stomach biopsy
- Medicines you take may change the results of these tests. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking some of your medicines.
Urea breath test or stomach biopsy
- You will be asked to not eat or drink anything for a certain amount of time before your breath test or stomach biopsy. Follow your doctor's instructions about how long you need to avoid eating and drinking before the test. If you are going to have a stomach biopsy, your doctor will give you instructions on how to prepare.
What do the results of an H. pylori test mean?
Results from the urea breath test or a stool antigen test are usually available within a few hours. Results from a blood antibody test are usually available within 24 hours. Results from biopsy samples obtained by endoscopy are usually available within 48 hours. Results from a biopsy sample that is cultured can take up to 10 days.
Normal: | The blood sample does not contain H. pylori antibodies. |
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Abnormal: | The blood sample contains H. pylori antibodies. |
Normal: | The breath sample does not contain the tagged carbon dioxide. |
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Abnormal: | The breath sample contains the tagged carbon dioxide. |
Normal: | The stool sample does not contain H. pylori antigens. |
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Abnormal: | The stool sample contains H. pylori antigens. |
Normal: | The biopsy sample does not contain H. pylori bacteria. H. pylori bacteria does not grow in a culture of the tissue biopsy samples. |
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Abnormal: | The biopsy sample contains H. pylori bacteria. H. pylori bacteria grows in a culture of the tissue biopsy samples. |
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