Helicobacter pylori is a type of tiny Gram-negative bacterium. It has a spiral shape and flagella, which allows it to move around in the gastric mucosa. The adhesive molecules on its surface can bind to receptors on the surface of gastric mucosal cells, helping them to attach to the gastric mucosa and avoid being washed away. These characteristics enable Helicobacter pylori to survive and colonize in the stomach environment, leading to infections and related stomach problems.
Infection with Helicobacter pylori can lead to varied responses among different individuals. Some individuals may not exhibit noticeable symptoms even if they are infected with Helicobacter pylori. Others might experience an overproduction of stomach acid due to the infection, leading to complications like antral gastritis and duodenal ulcers. Yet another group of individuals who contract Helicobacter pylori may develop chronic gastritis, further elevating the risk of developing gastric cancer.
The primary modes of transmission for Helicobacter pylori infection are through diet and oral contact. This bacterium can be present in the saliva, oral cavity, vomit, or feces of infected individuals. It can spread through direct contact, sharing utensils, consuming contaminated food or water, and more. Additionally, infection can occur through contact with the vomit or feces of an infected person.
Invasive / Non-invasive | Invasive | Non-invasive | |||
Test method | Gastroscopy | Stool Antigen Test | Serologic test | 13C Urea breath test | Instant-UBTIW |
Sample type | Stomach tissue | Fecal | Blood | Exhale breath | Exhale breath |
Time | 1-2 hr | 3-7 days | 3-7 days | 3-7 days | less than 1 hr |
Cost | High | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Advantage/ Disadvantage | Uncomfortable | Available before and after teatment | Not Available after treatment.Does not distinguish between active and past infection | Available before and after teatment | Available before and after teatment |
Accuracy | High | Low | Low | High | High |
When the stomach is infected with Helicobacter pylori. The orally given urea is hydrolysed by the enzyme urease of H. pylori and carbon dioxide and ammonia gas is expired in breath . By analyzing the concentration of ammonia gas expired through breath and comparing it with the baseline value before drinking urea. It can help to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection.
Utilizing patented developed nanoporous hydrogel membrane to capture ammonia gas from exhaled breath, the gas undergoes hydrolysis on the electrode surface. Through electrochemical detection, the pH value of the gas is obtained, enabling the calculation of ammonia gas concentration in the exhaled breath.