Related Suggestion
World Digestive Health Day is celebrated
annually on May 29th, the main purpose of which is to draw public
and worldwide attention to gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) diseases. Of all the diseases, gastroduodenal
ulcers are considered to be strongly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, with more than 90% of the population being infected
with H. pylori. Additionally, H. pylori infections also cause diseases such as chronic
gastritis and peptic ulcer, and is even closely related to gastric cancer and
gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.
According
to the
IARC Monographs on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans published by the World
Health Organization, H. pylori infection is responsible for approximately 75% of gastric cancers and 5.5% of
all cancers, making it the first bacterium classified as a Group I biological
carcinogen in 2012. All factors considered, the diagnosis and eradication
of H. pylori infection collectively
contribute to gastric cancer prevention.
Not
only can H. pylori infection lead to
serious consequences, but it’s also the
most common bacterial infection across the world. It is estimated that 50% of the global population is
infected, with wide geographic variations, ranging from as high as 80% in poor and developing countries to 20-50% prevalence in developed
countries. In extension of that, North America is expected to hold a major
market share in the H. pylori diagnostics market due to the increasing prevalence of H. pylori infection and its growing awareness of H. pylori infection. According to the National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), about half
of the people over 60 years old and 20% of the people under 40 years old
in the U.S. are infected with H. pylori.
As a result, the advancement in H. pylori diagnostics and presence of well-developed healthcare infrastructure are
largely driving the overall regional growth of the diagnostics market.
As for diagnostic methods, each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and is also subjected to limitations. Screening and laboratory diagnostics are based on both non-invasive and invasive methods. Non-invasive methods include respiratory testing, stool antigens, and serology. Invasive methods include endoscopy, histology, rapid urea tests, culture and PCR tests. The main advantages and disadvantages of these methods are listed below:
Table 1. The main advantages and disadvantages of non-invasive methods [1].
Current Diagnostic Methods |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Non-invasive tests |
||
Urea breath tests C13 and C14 (UBT) |
The most monitored and best recommended test |
Usage of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), bismuth, or antibiotics within the previous two weeks reduces sensitivities |
High sensitivity and specificity with excellent performances |
The presence of urease from other Helicobacter spp. may influence specificity |
|
Low cost |
|
|
Useful in diagnosing and monitoring the therapeutic response |
|
|
Serological tests antibody detection |
Excellent for some ELISA kits |
Poor positive predictive value |
|
Can only be used after validation |
|
Usage of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), bismuth, or antibiotics within the previous two weeks does not reduce sensitivities |
Does not differentiate between previous and current infections, or document eradication of the organism following successful treatment |
|
Stool antigen test (SAT) |
High sensitivity and specificity |
Usage of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), bismuth, or antibiotics within the previous two weeks reduces sensitivities |
Effective monitoring of the eradication of H. pylori after therapy |
Patient discomfort regarding specimen submission |
Among
non-invasive methods, the respiratory testing with high sensitivity and
specificity is used as the gold standard for the diagnosis of H.
pylori infection. However, it is expensive and requires special
laboratory equipment, and is often a difficult process for elderlies and
infants.
Compared
with respiratory testing, serology rapid tests are cheaper, more
accessible, and much more suitable for at-home self-testing, which is usually
preferred by both clinicians and patients regardless of their age. To
meet customers’ needs for different antigenic epitopes, Fapon developed several
antigens whose epitopes contain CagA, UreA, GroEL(Table 2). A pair of
antigens with good detection performance is also recommended for customers’
rapid product development.
Free samples of all antigens are available
now and please don’t hesitate to contact us for a free trial.
Table 2. Several antigens for H. pylori serology test recommended and developed by Fapon
Recommended Pairs |
Item |
Catalog No. |
Source |
Subtype |
Application |
Platform |
Colloidal Gold |
||||||
Pair 1 |
HP Antigen |
GRJHPS101 |
E.coli |
CagA |
Conjugate |
√ |
HP Antigen |
GECHPI401 |
E.coli |
CagA |
Coating |
√ |
|
HP Coupling Protein |
GRJCPS201 |
/ |
/ |
Conjugate |
√ |
|
Others |
HP Antigen |
GECHPS101 |
E.coli |
UreA |
Coating |
√ |
HP Antigen |
GRNHPS102 |
E.coli |
GroEL |
Coating/Conjugating |
√ |
|
HP Antigen |
GRNHPS104 |
E.coli |
CagA+GroEL |
Coating/Conjugating |
√ |
As
for the stool antigens test, not only does it have high sensitivity and
specificity, but can also differentiate between previous and current infections
or document eradication of the organism following successful treatment. Since
the sample is stool, this method is more suitable for at-home self-testing,
thus eliminating discomfort for patients during the process of sample
submission.
Antibodies to detect H. pylori antigens in
stool will be available soon!
[Reference]
1. Cardos, A. I. et al. Evolution of Diagnostic Methods for Helicobacter pylori Infections: From Traditional Tests to High Technology, Advanced Sensitivity and Discrimination Tools. Diagnostics 12, 508 (2022).