6012 – Helicobacter pylori Antigen

The Helicobacter pylori Antigen is a qualitative immunoassay for the determination of Helicobacter pylori antigen in fecal specimens. The Helicobacter pylori Antigen is intended as an aid in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infections in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a gram-negative spiral shaped microaerophilic bacterium that can colonize the human stomach, is a common bacterial cause of peptic ulcers. H. pylori can be effectively detected from stool (faecal) samples. The bacterial enzyme, urease, plays a pivotal role in the protection of H. pylori in the stomach from the fatal effect of gastric acid: This protection is achieved by incorporation into the gastric mucosa and the cleavage of urea to carbon dioxide and ammonia; the later which nullifies the gastric acid around the germ. H. pylori screening is essential in the diagnosis of stomach diseases, in that the bacterial infections is associated with stomach disorders characterized by elevated production of gastric acid; e.g. type B gastritis, about 75% of Ulcus ventriculi and almost all cases of Ulcus duodeni. Due to the chronic infections caused by H. pylori, it has been confirmed by the WHO (1944) to belong to the group of defined carcinogens, and accepted to be a high risk factor for the development of gastric malignomas and MALT lymphoma.

The ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is an immunoassay for the determination of specific antigens. The strips of the microtiter plate are coated with antigen-specific antibodies. If specific antigens are present in the patient´s sample, they bind to the antibodies. A secondary antibody conjugated with the enzyme peroxidase detects the generated immune complex. A colorless substrate is converted into the colored product. The signal intensity of the reaction product is proportional to the antigen activity in the sample. After stopping the signal intensity of the reaction product is measured photometrically.

The immunoassay is designed for manual professional in vitro diagnostic use.