General

Synonym/Acronym:
H. pylori stool antigen test; H. pylori breath test; urea breath test (UBT) PY test; C-14 urea breath test; rapid urease test (RUT is also known as the CLO, or Campylobacter-like organism test).

Rationale
To assist in diagnosing a gastrointestinal infection and ulceration of the stomach or duodenum related to a H. pylori infection.

Patient Preparation
Instruct the patient to fast and restrict fluids for 6 to 8 hr prior to the UBT or tissue biopsy procedure. Additionally, patients scheduled for a UBT, stool antigen test, or tissue biopsy and culture may be instructed to avoid the use of proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole), antacids, antibiotics, or oral bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol); instructions for withholding medications are by medical direction. Protocols may vary among facilities.

Normal Findings
Method: Enzyme immunoassay for stool antigen test, negative. UBT: Less than 50 dpm (disintegrations per minute) is considered a negative finding. Tissue biopsy and culture, negative for H. pylori.

Critical Findings and Potential Interventions
N/A