ABSTRACT
This study was carried out in its first stage - on 50 dyspeptic patients [Group A] who were positive for H. pylon infection in two simultaneously done tests: biopsy unease test [HUT test] and serological test for - anti H. pylon lgG, and 15 patients [Group B] with negative both tests. All subjects were tested for the presence of H. pylori antigen in their stools using a novel test [premier platinum Hp SA test]. 48 patients of group A were positive while 14 of group B were negative with a sensitivity and specificity 96% and 93.3% respectively. In the second stage of this study; the 48 patients with positive Hp SA test received a triple therapy of Omepazole 20 mg, Tinidazole 500 mg and Calrithromycin 250 mg in a bid dosage for one week. Omeprazole 20 mg daily was given for further 3 weeks as a consolidation therapy. After at least 4 weeks or more both HUT test and Hp SA test were repeated. 8 patients were still positive for both tests while 40 patients were negative for HUT test; 37 of them were negative for Hp SA test with a sensitivity and specificity 100% and 92.5% respectively. Comparison between the results of Hp SA test before eradication therapy revealed non statistically significant difference between the sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of the test. However; the positive predictive value of the test was significantly higher during initial estimation than during post eradication assessment [P <0.05]. So, we concluded that Hp SA is a test with a high sensitivity and specificity in comparison to biopsy urease test either for the first diagnosis of H. pylori infection or for post-eradication assessment of treatment. It is easy to be done in any laboratory. Collection of faecal specimen is easy either in the elderlies or children and who refuse gastroscopy on when this is not available