Choosing H. pylori Treatment Follow-up Investigation
Selecting the correct test for early follow-up after treating $H.$ pylori infection is crucial to confirm eradication.
Investigating H. pylori Eradication Success
The primary goal is to determine if the treatment has successfully eliminated the bacteria. This requires a test that detects active infection.
- Urea Breath Test (UBT): This is the preferred method for early follow-up. It is non-invasive and accurately detects the presence of active $H.$ pylori by measuring urease activity. It is highly sensitive and specific for confirming successful eradication shortly after treatment completion.
- Rapid Urease Test (RUT): This test requires a gastric biopsy, usually obtained during an endoscopy. It is typically used for initial diagnosis, not routine follow-up, due to its invasive nature.
- Stool $H.$ pylori Antigen Test: This test detects bacterial antigens in stool and is a viable non-invasive option for follow-up. However, the UBT is generally considered the gold standard for confirming eradication post-treatment.
- Serology for $H.$ pylori: Blood tests for antibodies indicate past or present exposure to $H.$ pylori. After treatment, antibody levels can remain elevated for months, making it unreliable for confirming eradication in the early follow-up period.
Therefore, the urea breath test is the investigation of choice for assessing treatment success early after completing anti-$H.$ pylori therapy.
Important Questions from Peptic Ulcer Disease
With regard to Helicobacter pylori eradication in peptic ulcer disease, consider the following statements:
1. Proton-pump inhibitor is taken with two antibiotics.
2. Treatment is prescribed for at least 7 days.
3. Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection leads to vitamin B12 deficiency.
4. Patients requiring long-term NSAIDS should undergo Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy to reduce ulcer risk.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- Which one of the following statements is correct with regard to peptic ulcer prophylaxis?
- The most common non-pancreatic site for tumour distribution in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is
- Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with the development of which one of the following lymphoid malignancies?
- Which one of the following statements about Barrett's Oesophagus is NOT correct?
