Detection of Helicobacter pylori carriers by discriminant analysis of urea and pH levels in gastric juices

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 44; no. 8; pp. 697 - 698
• Main Authors: Ameglio, F, Abbolito, M R, Giannarelli, D, Citarda, F, Grassi, A, Gandolfo, G M, Casale, V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.08.1991; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adult; Bacterial diseases; Biological and medical sciences; Carrier State - diagnosis; Carrier State - metabolism; Discriminant Analysis; Female; Gastric Juice - chemistry; Helicobacter Infections - diagnosis; Helicobacter Infections - metabolism; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Urea - analysis; Human; Stomach; Spirillales; Spirillaceae; Experimental study; Infection; In vivo; Urea; Bacteriosis; pH; Bacteria; Diagnosis; Endoscopy; Campylobacter
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.44.8.697

An alternative approach to the problems inherent in current methods for detecting Helicobacter pylori carriers--that of being generally time-consuming, expensive, and not sufficiently sensitive--was devised by using the urea concentration and pH levels of gastric juices. A linear discriminant analysis of these variables, measured in 54 patients submitted to digestive endoscopy for gastritis, provided a mathematical formula for assigning the subjects (previously classified by other standard methods) to groups of either positive or negative H pylori carriers. The results obtained showed a correct classification in 52 out of 54 cases with only one false negative and one false positive case.