Evaluation of invasive and non-invasive diagnostic modalities for Helicobacter pylori infection in children.

ABSTRACT

Invasive and non invasive tests for Helicobacter pylori performed on 31 children were evaluated as diagnostic modalities. Investigations included upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and endoscopic grasp biopsy (EGB) from antrum and corpus (for rapid urease test, impression smear, histology and culture), antral brushings, serum ELISA for IgG antibodies, rapid blood test, and IgG antibodies in unstimulated saliva. Our results suggested that amongst the invasive methods brush cytology was more sensitive than histology and impression smear. Best interpretation of urease test was possible at 4 hours incubation. Culture of EGB sample constitutes the most specific way to establish the diagnosis of infection but is not easy. Hence, non-invasive modalities like serum ELISA, rapid blood test and salivary ELISA can be used in children for the detection of H pylori infection.