Chronic upper stomach pain and the potential development of gastric and duodenal ulcerations are strongly linked to H. pylori infection. The 13C Urea Breath Test is a well established method for detecting H. pylori and is highly endorsed by several gastroenterological and other medical societies as the test of choice for detection as well as testing post treatment.
The 13C-Urea Breath Test (UBT) is based on the measurement of the delta over baseline (DOB) that is detectable in a patient’s breath, before and after the ingestion of a low dose of 13C-labeled urea, which has been dissolved in water or orange juice. The test is non-radioactive and completely safe. In fact, human bodies contain around 9 grams of urea; the small amount that is ingested is harmless.
There are three methods for collecting breath samples:
-
Breath Collection Bags – Two breath samples are collected into specially designed collection bags. The first bag is the Baseline and the second one Post Dose or Post Ingestion. The Baseline is filled by the patient at the start of the test. He then drinks the test solution, waits 15 to 30 minutes and exhales into the second bag. The bags are sent for analysis, which generally takes a few days; if the results are positive, the patient will need to return to the doctor to get a prescription for treating the infection.
-
Breath Collection Tubes – This is similar to breath collection in bags, but the collection method is done in small tubes or vials. Analysis is performed using a gas isotope ration mass spectrometry (IRMS) device, which is a big, expensive apparatus that is located in large laboratories and in able to handle a great volume of breath samples. After testing, the patient must wait a few days for the results and return to the doctor a second time to receive a prescription for treating H. pylori, if present.
-
Online Continuous Testing (BreathID® System) – This is an extremely rapid test in which results are obtained instantaneously; if required, treatment can start immediately. The test is based on extremely sophisticated breath collection and measurement methods (Mass Correlation Spectrometry) and can be performed in the doctor’s office with no need to send the patient or sample to a laboratory. During the test, the patient breathes normally after being connected to a nasal breathing cannula. The BreathID System automatically samples the breath, before and after ingestion of the 13C-urea solution. Testing time is around 10 minutes, and the results are printed and provided immediately.
For more information about how the BreathID breath test system is used to detect H. pylori at the point-of-care, please watch a short film on Urea Breath Tests or contact a company representative by completing the contact form.