H Pylori Antibodies

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral, gramnegative bacterium associated with chronic gastritis and idiopathic chronic duodenal ulceration. Although a gastric specimen can be obtained by endoscopy and cultured for H. pylori, the H. pylori antibody blood test is a more useful noninvasive screening procedure and may be performed using the enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test.

Purpose

• To help diagnose H. pylori infection in patients with GI symptoms

Patient preparation

• Inform the patient that this test is used to diagnose the infection that may cause ulcers.
• Tell him that he needn't restrict food or fluids.
• Explain that a blood sample will be taken and who will perform the venipuncture and when.
• Explain to him that, although he may experience slight discomfort from the tourniquet and the needle puncture, the test takes less than 3 minutes.

Procedure and posttest care

• Perform a venipuncture and collect the sample in a 7-ml red-top tube.
• Send the sample to the laboratory immediately.
• If a hematoma develops at the venipuncture site, apply warm soaks.

Precautions

• This test should be performed only on patients with GI symptoms because of the large number of healthy people who have H. pylori antibodies.

Normal findings

Normally, no antibodies to H. pylori are revealed. Test results are reported as negative or positive.

Abnormal findings

A positive H. pylori test result indicates that the patient has antibodies to the bacterium. The serologic results should be interpreted in light of the clinical findings.

Interfering factors

• None significant