Blood for the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Antibodies to Helicobacter pylori IgG, IgM, IgA - positive: what does it mean. Analysis for Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common bacteria that infects the lower stomach. Infection in most cases occurs by contact due to neglect of personal hygiene. Since in a number of situations this microorganism is capable of provoking real problems and quite dangerous pathologies, at the slightest suspicion of infection, you should consult a doctor. At the disposal of specialists there are several ways to detect bacteria that help confirm or refute a Helicobacter pylori infection.

If you notice any of the following signs or a combination of symptoms, seek the help of a gastroenterologist immediately. It is possible that the ubiquitous Helicobacter pylori became the cause of the malaise.

• Pain before eating, during a meal or after eating.
• Regular bouts of heartburn.
• Nausea not related to pregnancy, food or other poisoning, or other obvious causes.
• The appearance of blood in the stool.
• The appearance of constipation, interspersed with diarrhea.
• Discomfort in the epigastric region, a feeling of heaviness after taking even a small portion of food.
• Repeated vomiting, not provoked by other understandable causes (poisoning, alcohol intoxication, inhalation of chemicals, or other diseases).

With such symptoms, the doctor will most likely refer the patient to laboratory tests to determine the presence and even the amount of Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the body.

Disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract and the accompanying signs can speak of a completely different pathology. That is why you should not personally prescribe tests for yourself and go to the laboratory yourself. Visit a doctor first; it is possible that you need to conduct completely different studies.

How to prepare for the analysis?

In order for the results of the study to be reliable, the patient must necessarily follow the rules of eating behavior a few days before the analysis. This is necessary so that the mucous tissues of the stomach are not subjected to additional negative effects, and the data obtained are as informative as possible.

At least a day before the study, you need to exclude from life:

• smoking, it is also desirable to avoid passive inhalation of nicotine;
• any alcohol;
• coffee and caffeinated foods/drinks;
• pickles, smoked meats, spicy and sour foods.

You should not eat 8-10 hours before the direct examination, otherwise the results may be incorrect, which will either require additional tests or affect the selected therapy, making it incorrect.

Since blood samples are taken from a vein, and some patients react poorly to refusal of food and are afraid of tests, experts recommend taking water and a small snack with you to the laboratory.

Types of tests for Helicobacter pylori

There are several options for tests to identify bacteria in the body. Some of them are express methods, while others are time-consuming but more accurate methods. The specific type of study is selected by the attending physician in accordance with the clinical picture and symptoms of the disease.

ELISA

Enzyme immunoassay for antibodies, and this is how this abbreviation is deciphered, is a biochemical study that shows the presence and amount of certain types of immunoglobulin in the patient's blood.

Immunoglobulin is a special type of protein produced by blood cells and is able to bind to the causative agent of the disease, neutralizing the danger. For each microorganism, their own, suitable, like a key to a lock, immunoglobulins are produced.

Experts divide immunoglobulins into three types - G, M, A, which are respectively designated as IgG, IgM, and IgA.

The results of the ELISA are not so unambiguous, there are a lot of nuances that a person who does not have special education and experience simply does not suspect. For example, that IgG may be absent in principle if the infection occurred only 3-4 weeks ago. And the IgA class can also be detected in the early stages of the disease. Therefore, only a doctor should decrypt the data.

In everyday life, this study is also referred to as a "breath test" and refers to express methods. The analysis is completely safe and non-invasive. It is carried out as follows:

• First, the patient breathes calmly into a special plastic tube for 6 minutes.
• Then the patient needs to drink a special solution and continue to exhale air into the tube.
• At the end of the procedure, which lasts a maximum of 20 minutes, the obtained air samples are sent to the laboratory.

The essence of the method is to compare two respiratory results. Since the bacterium Helicobacter pylori can synthesize urease (a special enzyme that breaks down urea into two components: ammonia and carbon dioxide), if it is present, measuring instruments will record carbon dioxide in the exhaled air. Depending on the percentage of CO2, the results are interpreted as follows:

The accuracy of the result obtained depends on the correct preparatory measures. If the recommendations are followed correctly, the reliability of the respiratory urease test is up to 95%. With the regular use of antacids and analgesics that cannot be canceled for 2-3 weeks, such a study is not carried out.

Cytological analysis

This method is justifiably considered one of the most informative. A biopsy (taking biological material from the affected area) is performed during fibrogastroduodenoscopy, after which the resulting tissues are sent for a detailed cellular study. The probability of a false positive result with this method of research tends to zero.

There are three options for a biopsy, differing in the method of taking material for cytology and the timing:

1. Incisional.
2. Excisional.
3. Needle.

When antibodies are detected in tissues, the result is considered positive.

This method has a significant advantage in the form of endoscopy. During the study, specialists can not only collect biological material for analysis, but also carefully examine the damaged area, determine the nature of the lesion, the anatomical features of the gastrointestinal tract, and record the results of endoscopy.

Histology

This method also involves a biopsy. The method is indicated for suspected tumor formations in the stomach. The results are considered positive when Helicobacter pylori cells are detected in the tissues examined. Otherwise, the analysis is considered negative.

Deciphering the data must be carried out taking into account not only the current state of the patient and the clinical picture, but also the anamnesis.

PCR

This abbreviation stands for even more mysterious than ELISA - polymerase chain reaction. The study belongs to the category of the most diagnostically accurate, and blood or feces are used for analysis. In some cases, other body fluids (saliva) act as biological material.

The essence of the method is to detect Helicobacter pylori DNA samples in the body, and the study shows the presence of bacteria in real time. The result obtained can be either positive or negative. In this case, the stage of infection does not play any role; both at the initial stage and with severe pathology, the PCR method will identify the pathogen.

A false positive result is possible if the patient did not follow the doctor's recommendations for preparing for the analysis or took certain medications. In the study of feces, unreliable positive data can be obtained if bile or inorganic salts are present in the feces.

This method of diagnosis does not require a mandatory stay in the hospital; It is quite possible to collect material for analysis at home, which seems to be very important when it comes to small children, the elderly, and the disabled. The PCR method is non-invasive, reliable and safe.

The detection of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori in the body by any of the research options does not always indicate the presence of the disease. It is necessary to decipher the analyzes only taking into account the anamnesis, complaints, clinical manifestations of the pathology. Without specific signs of infection, even positive data may mean nothing. Remember that up to 50% of the world's population are healthy carriers.

The norm of Helicobacter pylori in the blood test should not deviate from the permissible values. The fact is that this bacterium corrodes the gastric mucosa and is the cause of gastritis, ulcers and even cancer. At the same time, Helicobacter pylori is one of the few microorganisms that gastric juice cannot cope with (and its acidity can dissolve plastic). Therefore, if the doctor suspects the presence of these diseases based on symptoms, he prescribes a blood test for Helicobacter pylori to find out if the number of bacteria has exceeded the norm. A positive result means that treatment should be started immediately.

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that cannot survive exposure to oxygen. Therefore, it is transmitted through the saliva or mucus of an infected person, as well as through food.. For example, this can happen if one person did not wash the cup after him, and the other took a sip from it. It is also often transmitted through a kiss. Often the bacterium enters the body of young children from the mother, if they lick the nipple, spoon after the child and return it to the baby without washing it.

After Helicobacter pylori enters the body, it ends up in the stomach and settles there. The bacterium feels great in an acidic environment and its further actions depend on human health. Sometimes she just dozes off in anticipation of the right moment, but if the immune system fails, it starts a destructive action.

The danger of Helicobacter pylori is that in order to protect itself from gastric acid, it begins to secrete the enzyme urease. This component is able to break down urea into carbon dioxide and ammonia, which negatively affects the stomach and duodenum. The substance penetrates the mucous membrane and begins to destroy it, resulting in inflammation, erosion, ulcers.

Helicobacter pylori makes itself felt by the following symptoms:

• frequent abdominal pain during or after eating (due to the fact that food in the stomach is poorly and slowly digested due to the low amount of enzymes responsible for this);
• if a person has not eaten for a long time, he has abdominal pain, which subsides after eating;
• during the absorption of food, the patient feels how the food moves through the esophagus or cool water flows;
• heartburn;
• a feeling of heaviness after eating, which manifests itself even when the patient has eaten a little;
• nausea for no apparent reason;
• mucus in stool.

It is also advisable to take a blood test for people who have constant close contact with a person suffering from gastritis or ulcers (relatives, friends). It is possible that the cause of their illness is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

How to properly prepare

Although Helicobacter pylori is very resistant, like all types of bacteria, it is susceptible to antibiotics. Therefore, if you pay attention to the symptoms of the disease in time, do a blood test for Helicobacter and undergo a course of treatment, you can get rid of the problem quickly.

Proper preparation for the test helps to get reliable results. Before you need to donate blood for Helicobacter, you need to prepare for the procedure. From alcoholic beverages must be abandoned three days before the analysis. When preparing, it must be borne in mind that you can not smoke during the day before the moment when you need to donate blood. This is due to the fact that nicotine has a negative effect on the mucous membrane, so the analysis data may be distorted.

Blood for Helicobacter should be taken on an empty stomach: the interval between meals and the procedure should be eight to ten hours. The day before this, you need to give up fried, spicy, smoked and other heavy foods. Before the procedure, you can only drink non-carbonated mineral water. During preparation for the analysis, it must be remembered that tea, coffee, sweet and unsweetened carbonated water should not be consumed during the day until the moment when the blood for Helicobacter must be donated.

Features of a blood test

There are several methods to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori. One of them is enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). It is prescribed in order to determine the presence of immunoglobulins (antibodies) IgG, IgM, IgA in relation to bacteria. If the study shows their presence, this means that Helicobacter pylori is present in the body and it is necessary to start treatment.

True, this method does not always give the correct result. For example, a test can show the absence of IgG, IgM, IgA antibodies if the analysis was done too early: in order for the immune system to recognize the "stranger" and start producing antibodies, it takes time - from one to four weeks (depending on the type of immunoglobulins). Only after this period, the analysis will be able to detect IgG, IgM, IgA antibodies circulating in the blood.

Also, a blood test for Helicobacter can give a false positive result at the time of recovery, when Helicobacter is absent in the body, but IgG antibodies are still circulating. Usually their level is elevated for several days after recovery.

When deciphering the results of the analysis for Helicobacter pylori, the laboratory norm is usually indicated on the form next to the decoding of the patient's personal data. They need to be guided.

Immunoglobulins against bacteria

Depending on how much antibodies are present in the blood, whether their level is elevated, and whether they are present at all, the doctor's diagnosis depends. Ig-A anti-bodies testify to the early stage of infection. If the analysis gave a positive result for their presence, this does not always indicate the presence of Helicobacter, since these antibodies are also formed during inflammation of the gastric mucosa, as well as in people who do not take care of their health.

IgM antibodies are characterized by the fact that they can be detected only at an early stage of the disease. If the result is positive, this means that Helicobacter pylori has not yet had time to severely damage the gastric mucosa, and the chances of a quick recovery are very high.

If the decoding of the analysis showed a positive result regarding IgG immunoglobulin, this indicates the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the body. IgG anti-bodies are formed in the third or fourth week after infection, are in the blood until a complete cure, and persist for some time after recovery. If the amount of IgG antibodies is below normal, but is present, a doctor's consultation is necessary, as the risk of developing an ulcer or cancer is very high.

Breathe into the tube

In addition to the detection of IgG, IgM, IgA immunoglobulins, there are several more methods for pathogen detection. Among them is a breath test. Its essence is to determine the proportion of carbon dioxide in the air exhaled by the patient, which is formed when urease is split into ammonia and carbon dioxide. To obtain reliable studies, you should not smoke or drink water before the procedure. You can brush your teeth, but you can't use mouthwash or breath freshener, and you can't chew gum.

Three days before the test, you can not drink alcoholic beverages, as well as eat foods that contribute to increased gas formation in the intestines (cabbage, beans, apples, rye bread). Also, two weeks before the analysis, it is necessary to abandon antibiotics, as well as drugs that reduce the production of gastric juice. As with blood donation, the time between the last meal and the test should be eight to ten hours. One hour before the analysis, you can not drink at all.

To do a breath test, the patient must exhale twice into a tube that is placed deep in the mouth. Then he is given a solution of urea to drink, marking it before this with isotopes of a carbon atom. If the test is given to children and pregnant women, a safer solution is used, which gives less accurate results.

After fifteen minutes, the patient should exhale four more times into the tube. In this case, it is very important to ensure that saliva does not appear in the tube. Otherwise, the test will have to be repeated. If a carbon isotope is detected in the test, then the result is positive and the bacterium is present in the body.

Other tests

One of the most reliable research methods is PCR analysis (stands for polymerase chain reaction). This method is able to detect Helicobacter pylori DNA samples in the patient's body, even if they are present in very small quantities.

A positive result means that the bacterium is present in the body. If the DNA of Helicobacter pylori is absent in the test sample, then there is no bacteria. True, this test is not able to determine in what state Helicobacter pylori is located - in hibernation or has already begun its destructive effect. Therefore, if the study shows a positive result, the patient will need to undergo additional examinations.

Cytological test allows you to identify Hilacobacter pylori in gastric mucus. The study of the gastrointestinal tract is carried out using a probe on an empty stomach. The result is positive if at least one bacterium was detected during the study.

If the tests showed an increased level of Helicobacter pylori, it is better to start treatment immediately, especially if IgG antibodies were detected: even in a dormant state, the bacterium is dangerous to the body. At any moment, when the forces of immunity are weakened, it can awaken and begin a destructive effect.

In 2005, scientists Berry Marshall and Robin Warren were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for a revolutionary discovery shedding light on the causes of gastritis, duodenitis, duodenal ulcer and stomach cancer. They discovered the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Over the past few years, several methods have been developed to detect this pathogen in the human body.

Many methods indicate that the "gold standard" in diagnosis has not yet been found. A blood test for Helicobacter pylori is one of the detection methods.

Why is it so important and so difficult to identify Helicobacter pylori?

What you need to know about Helicobacter pylori

The name means - a spiral microbe living in the pyloric section of the stomach. For those who do not remember anatomy, we remind you that this is a section of the stomach in the zone of transition to the duodenal bulb. The microbe really has a spiral shape and flagella, is an anaerobe, that is, it lives in the absence of air.

For a long time, the entire medical world was sure that there are no conditions for the life of microorganisms in the stomach because its internal environment is too aggressive. Gastric juice, necessary for digestion, contains hydrochloric acid produced by special cells of the inner wall of the stomach. The only one who has adapted to life in such an environment is Helicobacter.

He managed to develop 2 defense mechanisms:

• thanks to flagella, it burrows deep into the mucus that envelops the walls of the stomach;
• enhances the secretion of ammonia, which neutralizes hydrochloric acid.

Being under the mucus in close proximity to the cells of the inner layer of the stomach, Helicobacter "devours" them, releasing toxins. Gastric juice rushes into the defect zone, irritating the mucous membrane and causing it to ulcerate (the old theory of stress leading to an ulcer has failed). In addition, Helicobacter pylori is recognized as a first-order carcinogen.

The importance of the survey is confirmed by the fact that the carriage of the microbe is widespread, up to 60-80% of the world's population have this microbe in the stomach or duodenum. In Russia, in some regions, the infection rate reaches 90%, in Moscow 60%. Not everyone gets sick. The weakened immune system and neglect of the rules of personal hygiene contribute to the disease, because the route of transmission is oral-oral.

You can get infected by kissing, sharing utensils, licking nipples and spoons by the mother. Children are especially at risk for the disease. What matters is that this microbe is characterized by reinfection, that is, if not cured, a person can again receive a new "portion" of the pathogen. This is real when using common dishes in the family.

The prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases is also high.

The following symptoms are familiar to many people:

• pain "in the pit of the stomach" before or after meals;
• frequent heartburn;
• feeling of heaviness after eating a small amount of food;
• nausea, vomiting, discomfort;
• appetite disorders;
• sometimes intolerance to meat food;
• the appearance of streaks of mucus in the stool.

The good news is that Helicobacter pylori responds well to antibiotics and acid-regulating drugs.

Examination methods

Patients with established chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and persons presenting the above dyspeptic complaints, as well as patients who have completed the course of treatment (as a control over the effectiveness of treatment) are subject to examination for Helicobacter pylori. It should be borne in mind that asymptomatic carriage is possible. Weakening of the immune system, eating disorders, alcohol and smoking, chronic stress, psycho-emotional stress can lead to the transition from a simple carriage to the development of the disease.

Examination methods are usually divided into related and unrelated to the need for fibrogastroduodenoscopy.

Invasive (associated with EGD) techniques include:

• sowing biopsy and bacteriological examination;
• biopsy histology;
• rapid urease test;
• biopsy polymerase chain reaction.

Non-invasive methods:

• serological or enzyme immunoassay;
• breath test with urea;
• stool polymerase chain reaction.

There is also a division of examination methods into direct (the material taken from the subject is examined directly - biopsy, blood, feces) and indirect (urease tests, serological analysis).

Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, each can give both false positive and false negative results when deciphered. Therefore, a rule has been established according to which, in order to issue a conclusion on the presence or absence of Helicobacter pylori in the subject, he should conduct 2 or even 3 examinations according to the methods of different groups.

The most accurate and fastest methods are recognized: PCR biopsy and urease breath test.

Today we will talk about the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Helicobacter pylori.

ELISA blood test for Helicobacter pylori

This analysis refers to non-invasive direct methods for detecting helicobacteriosis.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay does not determine the pathogen itself, but the presence in the serum of specific proteins - antibodies produced in response to the introduction of the pathogen (antigen) into the human body. These antibodies are glycoproteins and are produced by plasma cells that are formed from B-lymphocytes (the cellular link of immunity) in response to an antigen. Antibodies are located on the surface of B-lymphocytes in the form of membrane-binding receptors and in the blood serum (humoral link of immunity).

Antibodies are specific, that is, for each antigen, its own antibodies are produced.

In another way they are called immunoglobulins. In humans and mammals, 5 types of immunoglobulins are distinguished, of which Ig A, M, G are the most important. The first 2 indicate the early stage of the disease, when no more than 1-2 weeks have passed from the moment the microbe entered the body. They are called acute phase proteins. IgG increases from 3-4 weeks and lasts for a year and a half after treatment in half of the patients.

The technique exists in 2 types:

• qualitative determination of the presence of antibodies;
• quantitative determination of concentration (titer).

The first allows you to establish the presence or absence of antibodies, and hence Helicobacter, the second makes it possible to control the course of treatment, the degree of removal of the microbe from the body.

Pros and cons of ELISA

The undoubted advantage is that the method does not require fibrogastroduodenoscopy, which is especially important for children.

Enzyme immunoassay for Helicobacter pylori is highly effective, its efficiency reaches 92%, and for IgG 100%. It not only makes it possible to detect the disease in the early stages, but also allows titer deviations to judge the effectiveness of the treatment. The method is available to most patients both at a price and at the place of execution.

The disadvantage of the method is the receipt of false positive and false negative results.

A false-positive result is observed in persons treated with antibiotics the day before for any other reason. In those treated for Helicobacter pylori, the titer lasts up to a year and a half.

A false negative test may be at a very early stage, when the microbe has entered the body, but the response of the immune system is delayed. Low titers are observed while taking certain cytostatics. A complete enzyme immunoassay for immunoglobulins A, M, G helps to differentiate situations.

Do not forget about the need to supplement the survey with 1-2 more methods.

Indications and contraindications

The circle of persons subject to examination by ELISA is quite wide:

• stomach ulcer and duodenal ulcer;
• dyspepsia;
• inflammation of the esophagus;
• atrophic gastritis;
• oncology of the gastrointestinal tract in relatives;
• helicobacter pylori in the family;
• evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment;
• intolerance to meat and fish;
• feeling of heaviness in the stomach after eating;
• belching sour, heartburn;
• "Hungry" pains, "sucks in the spoon";
• bloating;
• weight loss for no apparent reason;
• nausea and vomiting;
• an admixture of blood in the stool or vomiting.

If the patient is excited and in the presence of convulsions, the analysis is not performed. During venipuncture, attention should be paid to the absence of signs of inflammation of the skin and the area of ​​the vein in the area of ​​​​the proposed fence.

Preparation for the delivery of the analysis

Preparation for the delivery of ELISA for Helicobacter pylori consists in the prohibition of eating fatty foods and alcoholic beverages on the eve of delivery. The gap between the last meal and the analysis should be at least 8-10 hours.

Physical activity should be stopped a day before the examination.

The analysis is given in the morning, before breakfast, it is allowed to drink water before the delivery.

Do not smoke 30 minutes before donating blood.

It is advisable to undergo an examination before starting antibiotic therapy.

Monitoring for the effectiveness of treatment is carried out 2 weeks after the end of antibiotics.

Blood sampling is carried out by venipuncture of the cubital vein, the material is placed in a sterile tube with coagulant gel to separate the serum. The test tube can be stored at a temperature of +20.

The result of the examination for IgG is ready in a day, for all immunoglobulins in 8 days.

Deciphering the results of the analysis

If the test was carried out in a qualitative variant, that is, without determining the quantitative values ​​of immunoglobulin titers, then the norm is the absence of antibodies to Helicobacter pylori, which will be reflected in the study form. It should be borne in mind that in the presence of one or more of the complaints listed above, a negative result does not give grounds to assert that this patient does not have helicobacteriosis. It is recommended to repeat the analysis after 2 weeks and in addition to carry out a urease breath test or any other of the suggested ones.

The interpretation of quantitative analysis is based on a comparison of the obtained titers with reference values. Each laboratory has “its own” sets of reagents, so the norm, both in numerical terms and in units of measurement, differs from others. The form should indicate the norms and units adopted in this laboratory. The titer values ​​obtained during the examination of the patient are compared with the standard ones. Indicators below the reference indicate a negative result, that is, that antibodies to Helicobacter were not found. Values ​​above the reference point indicate a positive result.

If the laboratory gives a “doubtful” result, the examination should be repeated after 2-3 weeks.

TABLE OF ASSESSMENT OF THE TEST FOR IgG IMMUNOGLOBULIN TITERS TO HELICOBAKTER PILOR. NORM AND DEVIATIONS

RESULT

S\CO RATES UNITS\ML RATES

Negative less than 0.9 less than 12.5

Doubtful 0.9 – 1.1 12.5 – 20.0

Positive more than 1.1 more than 20.0

In IFU units, the norm for immunoglobulin A and G is 30 IFU.

Positive values ​​of immunoglobulin A over 30 IFE indicate:

• early period of infection, latent active process;
• chronic form of the disease.
• For immunoglobulin G, positive values ​​over 30 IFU mean:
• residual antibodies after treatment;
• the phase of active inflammation, the risk of developing gastritis, peptic ulcer, oncology;
• simple carriage of the bacterium in the absence of symptoms;
• indicates a fresh infection, about a week old.

Negative values ​​less than 30 IFU for immunoglobulin A indicate:

• recent infection;
• stage of convalescence or continuation of antibiotic therapy;
• negative helicobacter with a combination of a similar response for immunoglobulin G.

A negative value of less than 30 immunoglobulin G IFU suggests:

• absence of infection, but with a small risk of development;
• early infection within 28 days.
• A negative indicator for the titer of immunoglobulin M means:
• early infection (first decade);
• adequate antibiotic therapy;
• stage of convalescence;
• negative results similar to those for other antibodies.

An increase in all titers for all antibodies indicates an aggressive inflammatory process. ELISA may be positive in healthy people who are simply carriers of Helicobacter pylori. This conclusion can be made after a thorough laboratory and clinical examination of the patient.

Rapid laboratory diagnostics allows you to immediately begin treatment, select effective schemes for influencing bacteria in order to eradicate them as soon as possible.

In the course of monitoring treatment, an indicator of effectiveness is a decrease in antibody titer by 20-25% within six months.

What can affect the result

In older people, the immune response to the processes occurring in the body is reduced, so false negative results can be more often observed.

A similar situation is observed in children from the group of frequently and long-term ill.

Faces. taking immunosuppressive therapy may also receive incorrect results.

Where can I take a blood test for Helicobacter

There are 2 options to get tested. According to the first option, you need to make an appointment with a general practitioner or gastroenterologist. If he deems it necessary, he will give a referral for examination at the district clinic. You should be prepared for the fact that you will have to wait for a while until the queue for a free examination comes up.

According to the second option, you can sign up for an examination in a private clinic on your own via the Internet. You choose the time convenient for you. The cost of analysis for different clinics is different. On average, determining the titer of immunoglobulin A and M will cost about 850 rubles each, and immunoglobulin G 450 rubles. A comprehensive examination for 3 types of antibodies will cost a little more than 2,000 rubles. There are more than 100 addresses of private clinics in Moscow where you can get an examination.

It is advisable to make visits to the doctor once every 6 months, so as not to miss the pathological process that has begun.

As an example, we can recommend the network of laboratories Invitro. It has existed for more than 20 years and has 9 modern laboratory centers with a network of about a thousand offices in Russia, Eastern European and neighboring countries. More than 1700 state-of-the-art analyzes and medical services are performed at Invitro.

The company has twice won the "Brand No. 1 in Russia" award, a symbol of people's trust.

The system for assessing the quality of laboratory research is standardized according to international standards. Certificates, licenses for the right to conduct laboratory tests, modern equipment have gained confidence in the performed analyzes from many medical institutions in Russia and beyond.

For patients, a discount program and a system of discounts are provided. Also, a service is provided for decoding the results of the analysis by a doctor-consultant free of charge online in the Internet club or by phone, which does not exclude a face-to-face consultation for the appointment of appropriate treatment.

The cost of testing for antibodies to Helicobacter pylori corresponds to the average for Moscow - 590 and 825 rubles.

To treat or not to treat?

To date, the issue of treating patients with positive test results in the absence of complaints and in the absence of inflammatory and ulcerative changes in the gastrointestinal tract remains controversial. Most tend to refuse treatment.

In the presence of an ulcer or gastritis, the need for eradication of Helicobacter is not in doubt due to the tendency of such a process to become malignant. In each case, the decision to prescribe individual therapy is made by a gastroenterologist based on the patient's complaints, the results of laboratory tests and instrumental studies.

The problem of treatment is so important that every 5-6 years scientists from all over the world gather under the auspices of the World Health Organization for an international congress where they discuss treatment tactics, classes of antibiotics for erpdication of the pathogen, diagnostic methods and preventive measures. The adopted agreements become a guide to action.

According to patients with complaints of digestive problems, treatment with two antibiotics in combination with metronidazole and antacids caused a significant improvement or even recovery.

In terms of prevention, attention should be paid to personal hygiene, washing dishes thoroughly, not giving or taking bitten fruits and sweets from others, not kissing strangers, not smoking one cigarette, not using someone else's lipstick, having a personal toothbrush and paste. . These simple ways can prevent infection and avoid many unpleasant moments.

At the slightest complaint, do not attribute everything to nutritional errors, contact your doctor, get tested for Helicobacter pylori and follow your doctor's recommendations.

Good luck with your test results.

An analysis for Helicobacter pylori (Helicobacter pylori) is prescribed if there are symptoms of chronic gastritis and stomach ulcers, since this particular bacterium is the causative agent of these diseases. What is it, in what cases should a study be carried out, how to decipher the results and how to treat the infection?

The name of the microorganism comes from "pylori", indicating its place of residence (the pyloric part of the stomach), and the characteristics of the form - "helico", which means "spiral".

Tests for Helicobacter

There are several ways to diagnose HP infection (HP is short for Helicobacter pylori), they have different reliability and differ in time and cost. Which of the methods is faster and cheaper, and which one will show the result more accurately?

Methods for laboratory diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection are divided into invasive and non-invasive. Invasive ones involve endoscopy with the taking of biomaterial (biopsy) and subsequent cytological examination.

The most informative of non-invasive tests are immunological studies, which determine the presence of antibodies to Helicobacter pylori in the blood, the H. pylori antigen in feces, PCR tests to identify the genetic material of the bacterium, and breath tests.

PCR

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a molecular genetic study that allows you to identify DNA fragments of the causative agent of helicobacteriosis. Fecal masses are used as the studied biomaterial. During the analysis, a section of bacterial DNA is isolated from the biomaterial, which is then repeatedly duplicated on a special device - an amplifier. When the amount of DNA is sufficient for further detection, it is determined whether a genomic fragment characteristic of Helicobacter pylori is found in the sample. A positive result indicates the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. PCR analysis allows you to confirm the presence of a foreign microorganism in the body with an accuracy of 90-95%. Normally, the genetic material of Helicobacter pylori is not detected in the test material.

ELISA

Immunological methods do not directly determine the pathogen, but detect antibodies to its characteristic antigens.

Infection caused by Helicobacter pylori is associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, malignant tumors of the stomach (adenocarcinoma, B-cell lymphoma).

The main method of blood analysis for antibodies is enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) - quantitative determination of the level of antibodies of the IgA, IgM and IgG classes to Helicobacter pylori. ELISA also allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of infection therapy. Thus, the production of IgM antibodies to Helicobacter pylori is a marker of the acute stage of the process. A few weeks after the initial infection, IgM disappear. With the progression of the disease and its transition to a chronic form, antibodies of the IgA class are detected, then IgG. High levels of their concentration remain in the blood for a long time. The sensitivity of the method is 87-98%.

Immunoblotting

Immunoblotting is significantly inferior to other immunological methods both in terms of cost and laboriousness of the analysis, however, only with its help it is possible, having only the patient's blood serum, to obtain data on the properties of the Helicobacter pylori strain (based on whether it produces specific CagA and VacA antigens). ).

Breath tests

Breath test - determination of the products of hydrolysis of urea by H. pylori urease in the air exhaled by the patient. The study is based on the ability of the bacterium to produce the hydrolytic enzyme urease. In the digestive tract, urease breaks down urea into carbon dioxide and ammonia. Carbon dioxide is transported to the lungs and released with air during breathing, its amount is recorded by a special device for urease analysis. Breath tests for Helicobacter are divided into carbon and ammonia.

Microbiological methods

Microbiological and bacteriological methods are used less often, since they take more time to carry out. They involve bacteriological culture of feces, isolation of the culture of the pathogen and determination of its sensitivity to antibiotics. During the study, the feces are placed in a growth medium that is favorable for growing colonies of Helicobacter pylori. After a certain period of time, the culture is studied under a microscope, noting the number of colonies and their properties.

The main signs that may indicate infection with Helicobacter pylori are typical symptoms of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

The decision on the choice of method is made by the attending physician. If an HP infection is detected in a patient, it may be appropriate to examine the patient's family members.

Preparation for analysis

To pass the analysis for Helicobacter, special preparation is not required, but it is important to follow the general rules, since only correctly collected material guarantees the reliability of the result. As a rule, all tests are taken on an empty stomach, that is, after at least eight hours of abstinence from food. Before the study, you should exclude alcohol, smoking, eating fatty and fried foods. When collecting material yourself, for example, for fecal analysis, it is important to avoid contamination of it, since any foreign matter (for example, detergents used to clean the toilet or bedpan) can distort the result.

An important rule when taking tests: within a month before taking the material, the patient should not take antibiotics and drugs that stimulate gastric motility.

How the results are decoded

If a qualitative analysis was carried out (determination of the presence of Helicobacter bacteria in the body), then in the result form there can be only two options - “negative” or “positive”. If the method of analysis involved a quantitative assessment, the norms of the results depend on the methodology, laboratory, units of measurement and other factors, so only a doctor can interpret the results of the analysis, he also makes the final diagnosis and prescribes treatment.

Helicobacter pylori and its features

Until the 70s of the last century, it was believed that any bacteria that enter the stomach die under the influence of hydrochloric acid, lysozyme and immunoglobulin. In 1989, researchers were able to isolate and cultivate a spiral-shaped microorganism from the gastric mucosa of a patient suffering from gastritis - the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

The most informative of non-invasive tests are immunological studies, which determine the presence of antibodies to Helicobacter pylori in the blood, the H. pylori antigen in feces, PCR tests to identify the genetic material of the bacterium, and breath tests.

The name of the microorganism comes from "pylori", indicating its place of residence (the pyloric part of the stomach), and the characteristics of the form - "helico", which means "spiral".

Infection with a bacterium usually occurs through contact with dirty surfaces, through saliva, by airborne droplets, as a result of contact with an infected patient, non-compliance with personal hygiene rules, eating insufficiently clean vegetables and fruits, and water from contaminated sources.

The appearance of clinical symptoms depends on the state of immunity. Asymptomatic carriage is also found among infected people, since the microbe is capable of long-term parasitism without pronounced clinical manifestations and conflicts with the host's immune system. In this case, the bacterium assumes an inactive form, increasing activity when conditions favorable for it appear. However, even in an inactive state, the pathogenic microorganism can cause damage to the walls of the stomach and duodenum. Developing inflammatory changes can lead to mucosal atrophy and development

Produced by the immune system in response to the long-term presence of bacteria in the body. IgG analysis is used as an auxiliary method in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Synonyms: helicobacter pylori antibody, IgG.

What is Helicobacter pylori?

The pathogenic microorganism (H. pylori) causes the following diseases:

• - inflammation of the gastric mucosa
• chronic duodenitis - inflammation of the duodenum 12
• (in 70% of cases) and duodenum (in 90% of cases)
• helicobacteriosis
• stomach cancer
• stomach lymphoma

Infected 70% of the population, every third!

The constant presence of bacteria in the stomach is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• pain in the stomach after eating or before eating
• occasional nausea and even vomiting
• feeling of heaviness in the stomach
• heartburn and sour taste in the mouth
• bad breath

These symptoms not only reduce the quality of life, make you take medication for a long time, but can also lead to stomach cancer!

Helicobacter pylori is able to "start" other diseases not associated with the stomach - the place of permanent residence of the bacterium. For example, - a heavy decrease in the number in .

Correct and timely diagnosis of a current H. pylori infection is essential!

Immunoglobulins and Helicobacter pylori

Immunoglobulins These are special blood proteins that can fight infection.

Immunoglobulins (they are also antibodies) are divided into several subspecies - IgG, IgM, IgA - depending on the time of appearance in the blood and the place of formation. So, the source of IgG is the lymph nodes and spleen, and IgA is the mucous membrane (oral cavity, stomach, intestines, etc.).

After entering the body of Helicobacter pylori, IgG antibodies in the blood will appear only after 3-4 weeks, but even after a cure, they can remain for a long time - months and years.

Since the antibody test is highly dependent on the reactivity of the immune system, only a negative IgG antibody test result against the bacterium will indicate the absence of infection—i.e. the body has never met with this microbe. But, alas, a positive one is neither an indicator of the current infection nor a cure.

Advantages

• analysis for IgG to Helicobacter pylori is not invasive - unlike a biopsy of the stomach
• available in many laboratories
• the result is not affected by medication (bismuth, proton pump blockers, antibiotics)

The analysis for immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M to Helicobacter pylori has the same disadvantages as IgG.

The Helicobacter pylori antibody test should NOT be used to diagnose H. pylori infection, nor to monitor the success of treatment!

Method

• IgG in the blood to Helicobacter pylori is determined by enzyme immunoassay

Norm

• negative< 12,5 units/ml
• questionable 12.5-20.0 units/ml
• positive > 20.0 units/ml

The norm of IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori in the blood is not defined by international standards, therefore, it depends on the methods and reagents used in the laboratory. In the laboratory test form, the norm is written in the column - reference values.

Material

• blood serum - 1 ml
• storage conditions: up to 10 days at a temperature of 2-8 °C
• up to 10 days at a temperature of -20 °C

Blood sampling is carried out in a vacuum system without an anticoagulant or a coagulation activator. Whole blood should be delivered to the laboratory within 2 hours at 2-8°C.

Preparation for analysis

• Eliminate fatty foods the day before

Additional Research

Result interpretation

1. positive test result for IgG antibody to Helicobacter pylori

• current infection with Helicobacter pylori H. pylori
• infection eliminated
• period of gradual disappearance of antibodies

2. negative result

• no infection with Helicobacter pylori H. pylori
• seronegativity period - up to 3 weeks after infection
• infection eliminated

P.S. The article was written in accordance with the recommendations for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection - American Gastroenterology Association (AGA), the American College of Gastroenterologists (ACG), Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) / the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).

IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori was last modified: November 24th, 2017 by Maria Bodyan