Test for helicobacter pylori

Test for Helicobacter pylori it is shown to anyone who complains of painful sensations and discomfort in the stomach area. Since helicobacter infection provokes the development of many lesions of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum, its timely detection and elimination avoids the development of serious health disorders, up to oncological diseases.

Test for helicobacter pylori: an idea of the causative agent of helicobacter infection

Helicobacter pylori is currently one of the most common human infections. Literally, the name of this microorganism means "spiral-shaped bacterium living in the pylorus" (the pylorus is the lower part of the stomach, passing into the duodenum). It belongs to the anaerobes - that is, microbes that die in the air. The infection is transmitted from person to person through saliva and mucus.

Infection often occurs within a family or other closely related groups, as the infection spreads when using the same dishes, non-compliance with hygiene rules, and overcrowding. The infection is often transmitted from mother to child (through saliva on a pacifier, spoon and other objects). You can get infected with Helicobacter pylori infection even with a kiss.

Once in the human body, helicobacter descends into the stomach. Further, this microorganism – almost the only bacterium that is not destroyed by gastric juice containing hydrochloric acid – burrows into the mucous membrane of the stomach, disrupting the structure of its tissues and their functions. This potentially leads to inflammation of the gastric mucosa (gastritis), erosions and ulcers. In addition, helicobacter pylori alters the local acidity of the stomach, which leads to a violation of the protective properties of its membranes.

With weakened immunity and prolonged existence in the body, helicobacter pylori can spread both to the overlying parts of the stomach and to the bulb of the duodenum. This leads to further disruption of the structure and functions of the mucous membrane, the spread of the inflammatory process and the appearance of new erosions and ulcers.

A clear link has been established between helicobacter pylori infection and the development of gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcer, stomach cancer and a number of other diseases.

Test for helicobacter pylori: do all those infected with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori get sick?

Fortunately, despite the fact that 2/3 of humanity is infected with helicobacter, most infected people are not bothered by it. Not all carriers of Helicobacter pylori develop peptic ulcer disease and other health disorders.

Predisposing factors come into force here — improper diet, stress, smoking and alcohol, which help the helicobacter to do its "black" business. By itself, helicobacter pylori does not cause specific symptoms. It is possible to suspect its presence in the body only when stomach diseases join.

Test for helicobacter pylori: who needs to take it?

Of course, it is pointless to do tests for helicobacter pylori, as long as a person can boast of excellent well-being. But any symptoms of "gastric malaise" should be a reason to visit a gastroenterologist or primary care physician.

The appearance of the following signs of digestive system problems should be alerted:

recurrent pain in the stomach area, especially after eating (a sign of erosions and ulcers);
appearance or enhancement
heartburn
feeling
of heaviness in the stomach,
rejection of meat food (up to vomiting).

In order to determine the presence of helicobacter pylori in the stomach, there are currently a number of methods. The most effective of them can be considered such tests for helicobacter pylori as enzyme immunoassay.

Test for helicobacter pylori: enzyme immunoassay for IgG antibodies to helicobacter pylori.

Test for helicobacter pylori: what is an enzyme immunoassay for IgG antibodies to helicobacter pylori?

This analysis for helicobacter pylori is a laboratory study in which it is possible to determine the content of immunoglobulins (or antibodies) in the blood.

Test for helicobacter pylori: what are immunoglobulins?

Immunoglobulins are proteins that are produced by blood cells. When the pathogen of an infection enters the human body, immunoglobulins bind to it (form a complex) and neutralize it after a while. As many different microbes, viruses and toxins as there are, so many different immunoglobulins exist. Together with the blood, they can penetrate into any, even the most remote corners of our body and overtake the "aggressors" everywhere. Specialists distinguish between immunoglobulins G, M and A, and designate them as IgG, IgM and IgA.

Analysis for helicobacter pylori: what is IgG?

This is an indicator confirming the presence of helicobacter pylori in the human body. Immunoglobulins of this class are detected starting from 3-4 weeks after infection. A high level of IgG to the helicobacter persists before and for some time after the elimination of the microorganism.

Test for helicobacter pylori: what are the normal values for IgG?

OLYMP Laboratory It has its own indicators of norm (so-called reference values). They are indicated in the result form. When the antibody level is below the threshold value, a negative result is indicated, above the threshold value - a positive one.

Test for helicobacter pylori: how to decipher the result of the test?

Positively

A positive result of the IgG ELISA test for helicobacter pylori indicates either the presence of a helicobacter infection (high risk of peptic ulcer or peptic ulcer; high risk of stomach cancer); or that the infection of Helicobacter pylori has been cured: a period of gradual disappearance of antibodies.

​Negative

​A negative result of the ELISA test for IgG to helicobacter pylori indicates either the absence of Helicobacter pylori infection (low risk of developing peptic ulcer disease, but peptic ulcer disease is not excluded), or that helicobacter infection occurred recently (up to 3-4 weeks ago)​