UREASE TEST - breath

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Specimen: Expired air.

Method: CO2 extracted from expired breath before, 15 minutes and 30 minutes after an oral dose of ¹³C urea or ¹⁴C urea. GCMS or radiometric assay of CO2 derived from hydrolysis of urea in the stomach by Helicobacter pylori.

Reference Interval: Depends on method.

Application: A non-invasive method for detection of gastric Helicobacter pylori infection, especially to monitor efficacy of therapy.

Interpretation: Rapid hydrolysis of urea indicates the presence of urea-splitting micro-organisms in the stomach.

Reference: Surveyor I et al. Med J Aust 1989; 151: 435-439. Glupczynski Y. Rev Med Microbiol 1994; 5: 199-208. Koletzko S et al. Lancet 1995; 345: 961-962.

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