[The modified 13C-urea breath test in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori colonization of the gastric mucosa].

The value of a modified 13C-urea breath test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori was analysed in a prospective study of 50 consecutive patients (28 women, 22 men, aged 20-90 years) with unknown Helicobacter pylori status about to undergo upper intestinal endoscopy. Four biopsies each were obtained in each patient from the antrum and the body of the stomach and examined for Helicobacter pylori infection of the gastric mucosa histologically (haematoxylin-eosin and Giemsa stain), with the rapid urease test and by culture. The patients then underwent a modified 13C-urea breath test. Results were positive histologically and(or) by culture in 29 patients, while the breath test was positive in 28 (sensitivity 96.3%). The breath test was falsely positive in two (specificity 91.3%). The biopsy urease test had a sensitivity of 96.3% with a 100% specificity. These results demonstrate that the modified 13C-urea breath test is a simple and accurate way of demonstrating Helicobacter pylori infection, equal in diagnostic value to the biopsy urease test.