Testing With BreathTek UBT
BreathTek® UBT for H. pylori has excellent sensitivity (96%) and specificity (96%) when confirming eradication in adults*1
| BreathTek UBT in Adult Patients1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pre | Post | |
|
Sensitivity |
95% | 96% |
|
Specificity |
90% | 96% |
| Stool (HpSA)2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pre | Post | |
|
Sensitivity |
93% | 89% |
|
Specificity |
93% | 89% |
| Serology (ELISA)2,3† | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pre | Post | |
|
Sensitivity |
85% | NR |
|
Specificity |
79% | NR |
| Endoscopic Biopsy (Routine Histology)4 | |
|---|---|
|
Sensitivity |
93% |
|
Specificity |
90% |
Abbreviations: ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; HpSA, Helicobacter pylori stool antigen.
*Data are weighted mean values. Compilation of data is not the result of a comparative study.
†Serology is not effective in post-treatment testing because it cannot distinguish between active and past infection.
BreathTek® UBT for H. pylori aligns with guideline strategies to test, treat, and confirm eradication of active H. pylori infection3
ACG guidelines recommend UBT, FAT, and endoscopy for eradication testing.5
When using BreathTek UBT, false negative test results may be caused by:
- Ingestion of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) within 2 weeks prior to performing the BreathTek UBT. If a negative result is obtained from a patient ingesting a PPI within 2 weeks prior to the BreathTek UBT, it may be a false negative result and the test should be repeated 2 weeks after discontinuing the PPI treatment. A positive result for a patient on a PPI could be considered positive and be acted upon
- Ingestion of antibiotics or bismuth preparations within 2 weeks prior to performing the BreathTek UBT
- Premature POST-DOSE breath collection time for a patient with a marginally positive BreathTek UBT result
- Post-treatment assessment with the BreathTek UBT less than 4 weeks after completion of treatment for the eradication of H. pylori
False positive test results may be caused by urease associated with other gastric spiral organisms observed in humans such as Helicobacter heilmannii or achlorhydria. Oral contamination associated with urease-containing bacteria may cause false positive results—especially when the straw provided in the BreathTek UBT kit is not used.
BreathTek UBT is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance providers6-10
Abbreviations: ACG, American College of Gastroenterology; FAT, fecal antigen test; UBT, urea breath test.