Which tests are commonly used to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection?

Which tests are commonly used to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection?

• A. Urea breath test and stool antigen test
• B. Fecal occult blood test and CBC
• C. Serum lipid profile
• D. Urine culture and chest X-ray

Answer: (A)

Diagnosing Helicobacter pylori relies on methods that show active infection rather than indirect effects. The urea breath test and stool antigen test do just that. The urea breath test works because H. pylori makes urease; after you swallow labeled urea, the bacteria split it and release labeled carbon dioxide, which you can detect in the breath—this confirms active infection. The stool antigen test looks for bacterial components shed in stool, indicating ongoing colonization. These noninvasive tests are commonly used for initial diagnosis and for confirming eradication after treatment. The other options don’t target the infection itself: fecal occult blood test and CBC screen for bleeding or anemia, not the presence of the bacteria; a serum lipid profile assesses fats in the blood; urine culture and chest X-ray are used for other conditions and do not diagnose H. pylori.

Diagnosing Helicobacter pylori relies on methods that show active infection rather than indirect effects. The urea breath test and stool antigen test do just that. The urea breath test works because H. pylori makes urease; after you swallow labeled urea, the bacteria split it and release labeled carbon dioxide, which you can detect in the breath—this confirms active infection. The stool antigen test looks for bacterial components shed in stool, indicating ongoing colonization. These noninvasive tests are commonly used for initial diagnosis and for confirming eradication after treatment.

The other options don’t target the infection itself: fecal occult blood test and CBC screen for bleeding or anemia, not the presence of the bacteria; a serum lipid profile assesses fats in the blood; urine culture and chest X-ray are used for other conditions and do not diagnose H. pylori.