[Detection of antibodies to Helicobacter pylori with the immunoenzyme test and indirect immunofluorescence].

Sera from 56 adult patients were screened for the presence of IgG antibodies against Helicobacter pylori by enzyme immunoassay and indirect immunofluorescence. In addition, the detection of Helicobacter pylori in antral biopsy specimens was attempted by culture and histological methods. Colonisation of the antrum mucosa with Helicobacter pylori was observed in 39 of the 56 patients. IgG antibodies against Helicobacter pylori were detected by enzyme immunoassay in 34 of 39 infected patients. Thus, the enzyme immunoassay showed a sensitivity of 87.2 percent and a specificity of 82.4 percent. IgG antibodies against Helicobacter pylori were further detected by indirect immunofluorescence in 28 of 39 infected patients. Thus, indirect immunofluorescence showed a sensitivity of 66.7 percent and a specificity of 88.2 percent. Our results demonstrate that the enzyme immunoassay for IgG antibodies and other invasive or noninvasive methods for the detection of infection with Helicobacter pylori appear to be of equal sensitivity and specificity.