Hepatitis A virus vaccination in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVES: Vaccination of systemic lupus erythematosus patients with non-live vaccines may decrease vaccine-preventable infections and mortalities. In the present study, we aimed to compare the immunogenicity and safety of inactivated hepatitis A vaccination in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy subjects. METHODS: A total of 30 childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus and 39 healthy participants who were seronegative for hepatitis A received two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine in a 0- and 6-month schedule. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgG antibodies were measured before vaccination and 7 months after the vaccination. RESULTS: Although anti-HAV IgG antibody titers after vaccination were found to be somewhat lower in children with systemic lupus erythematosus than that of the healthy subjects ( p < 0.05), the difference in seroconversion rate was insignificant between childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients ( n = 24/30, 80%) and healthy controls ( n = 33/39, 84.6%). There was no increase in median Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)-2K scores and anti-ds DNA levels after the vaccination procedure. Seroconversion rates in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients were not affected by medication, high disease activity (SLEDAI-2K >6) and anti-ds DNA positivity. None of the patients experienced any flare or adverse reaction throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS: According to these results, we conclude that inactivated hepatitis A vaccine is safe and well tolerated in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients, with no adverse events or increase in activity. Immunogenicity to the hepatitis A vaccine was adequate, with a seropositivity rate of 80%.

Reduced Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii levels in the gut microbiota of children with allergic asthma.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The amounts of Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in gut microbiota are reduced in patients with allergic diseases compared to healthy controls. We aimed to quantify levels of A. muciniphila and F. prausnitzii amounts using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the gut microbiota of children with allergic asthma and in healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 92 children between the ages of three and eight who were diagnosed with asthma and 88 healthy children were included in the study and bacterial DNA was isolated from the stool samples using the stool DNA isolation Kit. qPCR assays were studied with the microbial DNA qPCR Kit for A. muciniphila and microbial DNA qPCR Kit for F. prausnitzii. RESULTS: Both bacterial species showed a reduction in the patient group compared to healthy controls. A. muciniphila and F. prausnitzii were found to be 5.45±0.004, 6.74±0.01 and 5.71±0.002, 7.28±0.009 in the stool samples of the asthma and healthy control groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: F. prausnitzii and A. muciniphila may have induced anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and prevented the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-12. These findings suggest that A. muciniphila and F. prausnitzii may suppress inflammation through its secreted metabolites.

Salmonella Spp. and Shigella Spp. detection via multiplex real-time PCR and discrimination via MALDI-TOF MS in different animal raw milk samples.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to provide epidemiological data about the presence of Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. in raw milk samples collected from different animals. METHODS: A total of 231 raw milk samples from 48 cows, 65 goats, 65 sheep, and 53 donkeys were studied. The ISO 6579:2002 and ISO 21567:2004 methods, antimicrobial susceptibility tests, and serotyping were performed. Species and subspecies discriminations were made via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. After DNA isolation from all samples, Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. were detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kits. RESULTS: Five samples (2.16%) showed positivity out of 231 raw milk samples for Salmonella spp., and 2 (0.87%) samples were detected to be positive by multiplex real-time PCR design. CONCLUSION: We found that raw milk samples were not free of Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. and need to be tested routinely to avoid public health problems. Rapid and reliable real-time PCR method can be developed and used for this purposes instead of slow bacterial culture processes.

The protective role of Helicobacter pylori neutrophil-activating protein in childhood asthma.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori quantity and HP-NAP gene expression were evaluated in the faeces of healthy and asthmatic children. METHODS: H. pylori DNAs and RNAs were isolated from the stool samples of 92 asthmatic children (AC; 3-8 years) and 88 healthy controls (HC). Quantitative PCR was used to determine the quantity of H. pylori and HP-NAP expression relative to the 16S rRNA (reference gene). Gene expression was analysed using the delta delta-Ct method. RESULTS: H. pylori DNA was detected in the stool samples of 18 (20.4%) of the 88 HC (p<0.0001, OR=0.79) and none of AC. No meaningful statistical differences were found between individuals with positive and negative family histories for asthma in AC and HC (p>0.05). H. pylori quantity was higher in seven of 18 H. pylori-positive samples, but HP-NAP expression levels were low in four of these seven samples. Based on a multivariate logistic regression analysis of these three variables together, only males displayed a significant difference based on gender differences (p<0.02) and it was determined that, based on the OR value of 0.46 and the 95% CI range of 0.241-0.888, male gender was an independent protective factor in asthma. CONCLUSIONS: HP-NAP levels vary to the relative concentrations of bacteria in the stationary or late logarithmic phases. Different napA expression levels may be caused by different endogenous napA gene expression or different environmental conditions.

Neopterin and soluble CD14 levels as indicators of immune activation in cases with low anti-HCV reactivity and true HCV infection.

Neopterin and soluble CD14 (sCD14) are detected at high levels in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. We aimed to evaluate the role of these plasma immune activation biomarkers, for the indirect assessment of immune activation status of patients with low anti-HCV reactivity and a HCV infection. Low anti-HCV reactivity group (LRG, n: 70), true positive HCV infection group (THG, 30) and healthy control group (HCG, 30) were analyzed in this study. We have used ELISA, HCV RIBA/LIA and HCV-RNA methods. Mean neopterin levels were significantly lower in LRG than THG (p <0.001). In contrast, those values were not significantly different from those of HCG (p >0.05). Mean sCD14 were significantly higher in LRG than THG and HCG (p <0.05, p <0.001). Values of 3.95 µg/ml and 5.36 nmol/l for sCD14 and neopterin resulted in the maximum area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC), which were 0.859 (95% CI, 0.745 to 0.935; <0.0001) and 0.788 (95% CI, 0.663 to 0.883; <0.0001), respectively. These cut-offs corresponded to a sensitivity of 73.3% and a specificity of 73.3% for neopterin and of 100% and 76.7% for sCD14. Our results suggest that a specific immunoactivation might be caused by true positive HCV infection. Due to the significant results sCD14 in LRG might be non-specifically affected by some underlying atypical immunohematological pathologies. Only neopterin might be used to exclude low anti-HCV reactivity from a true HCV infection. The use of neopterin but not sCD14 in combination with fourth-generation EIA/CMIA combo tests will be useful when nucleic acid tests are not available for screening blood donors at blood banks.

Investigation of schizophrenic patients from Istanbul, Turkey for the presence of West Nile virus.

Association of some neurotropic viruses like Borna Disease virus and Herpes virus with schizophrenia is better explained. However, the role of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in schizophrenia is not well documented. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate possible association between schizophrenia and presence of antibodies and WNV RNA in schizophrenic patients. For this, 200 blood samples from patients with schizophrenia and 200 from control groups were collected in Istanbul, Turkey. WNV RNA was not detected in any of the 200 patients and 200 controls analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. One hundred and twelve sera of schizophrenic patients and 162 of controls were analyzed for the presence of IgG antibodies to WNV by a commercial IgG-ELISA (Euroimmun, Germany). Antibodies to WNV were detected in 6 schizophrenic patients and 5 controls. ELISA positive patients had antipsychotic therapy. The difference between groups in terms of seropositivity to WNV was not statistically significant (p = 0.887, p = 0.148). Known symptoms of schizophrenia were observed in these patients, and interestingly majority had close contact to cats in the past and come from agricultural area of Turkey where potential area of mosquitoes and bird habitat. In conclusion, the results of this study show that antibodies to WNV in people do not seem to be associated with schizophrenia. However, detecting antibodies to WNV in schizophrenic patients suggests that WNV infection should be considered in endemic areas as it may play role in psychiatric diseases.

Co-infection relationship with Epstein-Barr virus in gastroduodenal diseases with Helicobacter Pylori. Quantitative PCR and EBNA-1 gene-based approach.

Objective: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are involved in gastric cancer (GC) etiology. EBV/Hp co- infection was thought synergistically increase gastroduodenal disease occurence. We aimed to determine the presence of EBV/Hp co-infection in gastroduodenal diseases. Methods: The study group had 68 Hp (+) cases [25 GC, 13 IM (intestinal metaplasia), 30 PU (peptic ulcer)], and the control group had 40 NUD (non-ulcer dyspepsia) cases [20 Hp+, 20 Hp-]. EBV-DNA was detected by non-polymorphic EBNA-1 gene-based qPCR. EBV/EBNA-1 IgG levels were determined by quantitative and qualitative ELISA methods, respectively. Results: EBV-DNA positivity was 32% (8/25), 6.6% (2/30) and 5% (1/20) in GC, PU and NUD Hp (+) cases, respectively. There was a significant difference (p = 0.001) between GC (32%) and NUD Hp (+) (5%) cases in terms of EBV-DNA positivity. Mean EBV-DNA copy numbers were 6568.54 ± 20351, 30.60 ± 159.88 and 13.85 ± 61.93 for GC, PU, and NUD, respectively. In terms of the mean EBV-DNA copy number, a significant difference was found between the groups (p = 0.005). In terms of EBV/EBNA-1 IgG antibody positivity, no significant difference was found between GC and NUD cases (p = 0.248). EBV DNA positivity was found to be significant (odds ration [OR] = 26.71 (p=0.009, %95CI 2.286- 312.041) in multivariate logistic regression. Conclusioin: Although we had a small number of GC cases, it can be suggested that the estimated risk created by the synergistic effect based on the addition of EBV increased 26 times in the presence of Hp in GC.

The association between cagL and cagA, vacAs-m, babA genes in patients with gastric cancer, duodenal ulcer, and non-ulcer dyspepsia related to Helicobacter pylori.

INTRODUCTION: As a component of the cag T4SS, the cagL gene is involved in the translocation of CagA into host cells and is essential for the formation of cag PAI-associated pili between H. pylori and gastric epithelial cells. AIM: We aimed to investigate the clinical association of the cagL gene with other virulence factors (VacA, CagA, EPIYA-C, and BabA protein) of H. pylori strains isolated from GC, duodenal ulcer (DU), and non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) cases. METHODS: The patient group (PG), including 47 patients (22 GC and 25 DU) and a 25 control group (CG= NUD) were included. Amplification of the H. pylori cagL, cagA, vacA, and babA2 genes and typing of EPIYA motifs were performed by PCR methods. RESULTS: Sixty-one (84.7%) H. pylori strains were detected with cagL (93.6% in SG, 68% in CG). We detected a significant difference between SG and CG for the presence of cagL (p=0.012) but no statistical comparison was done for (≥2) EPIYA-C repeats In the comparison of H. pylori strains with cagA/vacAs1m1 and cagA/ vacAs1m2 and babA2 for the presence of cagL, we could not detect a significant difference (p=1). CONCLUSION: We detected a significant difference between groups for the presence of cagL genotype (p=0.012). The vacAs1m1 (OR: 2.829), genotypes increased the GC and DU risk by 2.8 times, while multiple (≥2) EPIYA-C repeats incresed the GC and DU risk by 3.524 times. Gender (to be female) (OR: 0.454) decreased the GC and DU risk by inversly decreased in the multivariate analysis.

Evaluation of two enzyme immunoassays for detecting Helicobacter pylori in stool specimens of dyspeptic patients after eradication therapy.

The aim of the current study was to assess the reliability of two enzyme immunoassays in detecting the Helicobacter pylori status of stool specimens of Turkish dyspeptic patients in the post-treatment period. Forty-eight patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia who were positive for H. pylori underwent a 1 week regimen of triple therapy. Stool samples of patients were obtained 2 and 6 weeks after eradication therapy and a [13C]urea breath test was performed 6 weeks after therapy in order to assess the reliability of mAb-based (Amplified IDEIA HpStAR, DakoCytomation) and polyclonal-antiserum-based (Premier Platinum HpSA, Meridian Diagnostics) stool antigen test kits and to compare their diagnostic accuracies. Using a minimum cutoff OD450 value of 0.19 for Amplified IDEIA HpStAR and 0.16 for Premier Platinum HpSA the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of the tests were determined 2 and 6 weeks after completion of eradication therapy. At both the second and the sixth week in the post-treatment period the diagnostic accuracy of Amplified IDEIA HpStAR was significantly better than the Premier Platinum's (75% versus 50%, S2=6.4; P=0.011, and 90% versus 69%, S2=6.316; P=0.012, respectively). In light of these findings the mAb-based Amplified IDEIA HpStAR has a high diagnostic accuracy for H. pylori infection in Turkish dyspeptic patients 6 weeks after completion of eradication therapy.

The evaluation of microbial contamination in platelet concentrates prepared by two different methods.

The microbial contamination of platelet concentrates (PCs) prepared by two different methods both with a high risk of bacterial contamination during preparation and storage were evaluated. For apheresis platelets, the concentrates were obtained using the Haemonetics MCS 3P device. For the random method, platelets were obtained by two phase centrifugation, in the Heraeus Cryofuge 8500 I device using the Kansuk 3-way bags which permit storage for five days. 1620 plateletpheresis units prepared by apheresis, and 9838 units prepared by the random method, were included in the study. Of the 11,458 PCs studied. 32 (0.27%) were false positives and 24 (0.2%) were real positives. All of the positive results occurred in platelets prepared by the random method. C. xerosis and S. epidermidis, S. hominis, Alpha-hemolytic streptococci, all flora of the skin, were isolated in the contaminated concentrates. The risk of microbial contamination of PCs, prepared both by apheresis and from whole blood, continues at a low rate although the products were collected into specific bags following rules including appropriate disinfection of the skin, correct centrifugation collection time and optimal storage conditions including temperature and agitation. These results again emphasize the importance of: obeying phlebotomy rules and hand disinfection of the person who collects the blood as well as the need for careful skin decontamination of the donor, during donation.

Cardiac hydatid cyst in left ventricle.

Hydatid cyst of the heart is an uncommon lesion which usually develops in the left ventricle. A 34-year-old patient with hydatid cyst of the left ventricle, who was operated under cardiopulmonary bypass, is presented. Postoperative course at one year was uncomplicated.

An immunological approach to postpericardiotomy syndrome occurrence and its relation with autoimmunity.

OBJECTIVE: An autoimmunological approach to the pathogenesis of post-pericardiotomy syndrome. METHODS: In 100 consecutive patients, after open heart surgery, postpericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) was diagnosed in 15 patients according to clinical and laboratory criteria. These patients were prospectively followed up. Levels of serum autoantibodies against cardiac muscle antigen were studied on the 14th, 21st and 33rd day postoperatively. In order to evaluate the cardiac muscle antibody (CMA), antigenic tissue sections from primate heart tissue in solid phase with intermyofibrillar and sarcolemmal-subsarcolemmal fluorescent staining, were taken as substrate. PPS occurrence was determined according to strongly positive antibody titers on the 14th and 21st day postoperatively. RESULTS: CMA were positive in 18 patients, and 14 of them showed clinical signs of PPS. In one case PPS was apparent clinically although CMA were not detected. There was a significant difference between CMA positive and CMA negative patients on the occurrence of PPS. With the use of monoclonal antihuman IgG in the conjugate of indirect fluorescent antibody test the specificity was enhanced. Also, in our experience, the length of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was an important factor affecting the development of PPS. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found a positive correlation between the presence of CMA and PPS, which is a practical, secure and cheap criterion for the diagnosis.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori vacA, cagA, cagE, iceA, babA2 genotypes and correlation with clinical outcome in Turkish patients with dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: Distinct virulence factors of Helicobacter pylori have been associated with clinical outcome of the infection; however, considerable variations have been reported from different geographic regions and data on genotypes of Turkish H. pylori isolates are sparse. AIM: To determine the prevalence of specific genotypes of H. pylori in Turkish patients with dyspepsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-three H. pylori-positive patients [30 with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD), 30 with duodenal ulcer (DU), and 33 with gastric cancer (GC)] who were admitted to our endoscopy unit due to dyspepsia were enrolled in the study. H. pylori infection was confirmed in all patients by histology and rapid urease test (RUT). The presence of vacA alleles, cagA, cagE, iceA, and babA2 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical comparisons and multivariate regression analysis was performed to find out independent predictors of different clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Turkish strains examined predominantly possessed the vacA s1,m2 (48.4%) and s1,m1 (40.7%) genotypes. The vacA s1a genotype was detected in 66.7, 96.4, and 87.9% of isolates from patients with NUD, DU, and GC, respectively, and its presence was significantly associated with that of DU (p = .004), GC (p = .043), and cagA gene (p = .021). None of the cases was found to harbor the s1c genotype. The frequencies of the cagA and cagE genes among studied isolates were 73.6 and 59.3%, respectively. The cagA gene was significantly associated with the presence of DU (p = .004) and GC (p = .003), and the cagE gene, too, was significantly associated with the presence of DU (p = .002) and GC (p = .000). All H. pylori isolates possessed the iceA gene. In all, 68 isolates (74.7%) were positive for iceA1 and 23 (25.3%) for iceA2. The frequency of icea1 gene was significantly higher in cases with GC (85%) than in cases with NUD (60%) (p = .026). The frequency of babA2 gene was 23.3, 46.4, and 87.9% in isolates of patients with NUD, DU, and GC, respectively. When compared to cases with NUD (p = .000) and DU (p = .000), the presence of babA2 gene was significantly higher in cases with GC. Multivariate regression analysis disclosed cagE (p = .006) and vacA s1a (p = .027) genotypes to be independent predictors of DU and babA2 (p = .000) and cagE (p = .013) genotypes to be independent predictors of GC. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori vacA s1a, cagA, cagE genotypes have significant relations with the presence of DU and GC, and iceA1, babA2 with GC in Turkish patients with dyspepsia, whereas cagE and vacA s1a genotypes are independent predictors of DU, and babA2 and cagE genotypes are independent predictors of GC.

The relationship between arthritis and human parvovirus B19 infection.

In order to evaluate the role of human parvovirus B19 in the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), synovial fluid and blood specimens were collected at 1-month intervals from 20 patients with early synovitis (ES) and 31 with RA. Blood specimens were also collected from 25 patients with SLE, 25 with osteoarthritis (OA) as the diseased control group, and 50 healthy blood donors (HBD) as the healthy control group. Detection of B19 IgM and B19 IgG were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay from serum specimens, and B19 DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction from synovial fluid samples. B19 IgM, B19 IgG, and B19 DNA were found in the three patients of the ES group. Subsequently, two of them were diagnosed with RA and one with SLE. B19 DNA was also detected in the synovial fluid of eight patients in the RA group. Of them, all were positive for B19 IgG and half were positive for B19 IgM. B19 IgM was not detected in either of the control groups. To define the role of B19 in the etiopathogenesis and prognosis of undiagnosed arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases such as RA and SLE, we need broader serial and prospective studies based on clinical and laboratory collaboration. In conjunction with case reports, these studies would also serve to detect other possible factors in the etiopathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Antimicrobial resistance surveillance of gram-negative bacteria isolated from intensive care units of four different hospitals in Turkey. Evaluation of the prevalence of extended-spectrum and inducible beta-lactamases using different E-test strips and direct induction methods.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance of gram-negative rods (GNRs) isolated from surgical intensive care units and to establish the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and inducible beta-lactamases (IBLs). We also wished to determine the widespread beta-lactam substrate in ESBL-positive GNRs by two different E-test strips and to discuss the value of the routine utilization of these substrates together. METHODS: Out of 348 nosocomial gram-negative strains isolated with similar methods, 236 strains with resistance to the beta-lactam group of antimicrobials using the E-test method were included in this study. Two different strips were used for the detection of ESBLs: cefotaxime/cefotaxime + clavulanic acid (CT/CTL) and ceftazidime/ceftazidime + clavulanic acid (TZ/TZL). For IBLs, the double-disk method was used. RESULTS: The order of frequency of the strains, starting with the most frequent, was Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In the 236 strains, the ESBL positivity rate was found to be 19.5% with TZ/TZL and CT/CTL strips, while it was 13.2% for IBL in 348 strains. Seventy-one percent of ESBL-positive strains gave parallel results with TZ/TZL and CT/CTL. ESBL positivity with only TZ/TZL or only CT/CTL was found to be 18 and 8%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that except for imipenem, amikacin and ciprofloxacin, there was a high resistance to other antimicrobials, and multiresistance rates were increased in the strains in which ESBLs and IBLs were detected. In particular, the increasing prevalence of ESBLs in K. pneumoniae and IBLs in P. aeruginosa emphasizes the importance of the problem of infection control and antibiotic administration policies. Although it was seen that the prevalence of substrate templates in the detection of ESBL positivity was similar, we think that it is more useful to use two different strips together to obtain precise results.

High resistance rate against 15 different antibiotics in aerobic gram-negative bacteria isolates of cardiology intensive care unit patients.

Aerobic gram negative bacteria were isolated and examined microbiologically from various clinical samples of 602 patients hospitalized between January 1997 and December 2000 in surgical and coronary intensive care units (ICUs). A total of 827 isolates were obtained from 602 patients. The majority of microorganisms were isolated from the respiratory tract (50.3%) and blood (39.9%). Pseudomonas spp. were the most frequently isolated gram negative species (32.7%), followed by Acinetobacter spp. (24.0%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (19.4%). High resistance rates to all antibiotics studied were observed. Imipenem and meropenem were the most effective antibiotics against gram negatives.

Comparison of two different stool antigen tests for the primary diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in turkish patients with dyspepsia.

AIM: To assess the reliability of two different enzyme immunoassays in detecting the Helicobacter pylori status in stool specimens of Turkish patients with dyspepsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty-one patients [74 with nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD), 64 with duodenal ulcer (DU) and 13 with gastric cancer] who were admitted to the endoscopy unit of Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy because of dyspepsia were enrolled in the study. Helicobacter pylori infection was confirmed in all patients by histology, rapid urease test and culture. A patient was classified as being H. pylori-positive if the culture alone or both the histology and the rapid urease test were positive and as negative only if all of these tests remained negative. Stool samples were obtained from patients to assess the reliability of a monoclonal (FemtoLab H. pylori) and a polyclonal (Premier Platinum HpSA) stool antigen test and to compare the diagnostic accuracies of these two tests. A chi2 test was used for statistical comparisons. RESULTS: Using cut-off values of 0.19 for FemtoLab H. pylori and 0.16 for Premier Platinum HpSA, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy were 93%, 90%, 98%, 68% and 93% for the monoclonal test and 84%, 67%, 94%, 40% and 81% for the polyclonal test, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of the monoclonal test were significantly greater than those of the polyclonal test (chi2 = 3.98; p < .05 for sensitivity and chi2 = 15.67; p = .000 for specificity, chi2 = 15.78; p = .000 for negative predictive value and chi2 = 6.37; p = .012 for diagnostic accuracy). The bacterial load did not affect the sensitivity of either test. CONCLUSIONS: The monoclonal FemtoLab H pylori test, using a cut-off 0.19, is a very sensitive, specific and easy to perform diagnostic tool for the primary diagnosis of H. pylori infection in Turkish patients with dyspepsia.