Helicobacter pylori Antigen, EIA, Stool

CPT Code(s)

87338

Preferred Specimen(s)

Collect 0.5 mL of semisolid stool or 20 mm diameter of solid stool and transfer to a properly labeled, sterile, plastic, leakproof container. Do not place stool in preservative, transport medium, or swab. Watery, diarrheal stool is not acceptable.

Minimum Volume

Minimum: 0.5 mL semisolid stool or 20 mm diameter of solid stool, submitted in a properly labeled, sterile, plastic, leakproof container, frozen

Collection Instructions

Patient Preparation: For initial diagnostic purposes no special patient preparation is required. Patients are not required to be off of medications or to fast before this test. While positive test results from patients taking agents such as proton pump inhibitors and antimicrobials should be considered accurate,false negative results may be obtained. For this reason, physicians may suggest the patient go off medications for two weeks and repeat test if negative results are obtained.



To confirm eradication, testing should be done at least 4 weeks following the completion of treatment. However, a positive test result 7 days post therapy is indicative of treatment failure.



This test is cleared for use with specimens from pediatric patients.

Specimen Container

Sterile, plastic, leakproof container

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable

Refrigerated: 72 hours

Frozen: 30 days

Methodology

Immunoassay (IA)

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute

14225 Newbrook Drive

Chantilly, VA 20153

Setup Schedule

Mon, Wed, Fri p.m.; Report available: 4 days

Limitations

There may be possible false-negative results associated with recent PPI use.

Reference Range(s)

Not detected



This test is intended to aid in the diagnosis of H.pylori infection and to aid in monitoring the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy. A result of "Detected" indicates H. pylori antigen is present. "Not Detected" indicates the absence of H. pylori antigens or the level of antigen is below the sensitivity of the assay.

Antimicrobials, proton pump inhibitors, and bismuth preparations are known to suppress H. pylori, and ingestion of these prior to H. pylori diagnostic testing may give a false negative result. If clinically indicated, the test may be repeated on a new specimen obtained two weeks after discontinuing treatment.

Clinical Significance

Colonization with H. pylori is associated with increased risk of patients developing gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric adenocarcinoma. Stool antigen testing provides a sensitive measure of infection including during and after treatment.