A recent report suggests that Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in individuals taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [1]. As scientists continue to associate Helicobacter pylori with a growing number of gastrointestinal disorders, a test from Oxoid offers a valuable aid in the rapid diagnosis of infection with this micro-organism.

The Oxoid Pylori Test is a rapid latex agglutination test for the detection of H. pylori antibodies in serum, providing clearly visible results in less than 3 minutes. This simple method is quick and non-invasive, providing clinicians with valuable information prior to patient endoscopy. A positive result indicates current or recent infection with H. pylori and may influence the choice of treatment and the next course of action.

The Oxoid Pylori Test needs no specialised training or equipment. Everything that is required to perform the test is supplied, including positive and negative controls. The Test is so quick and simple that it can be performed in large numbers or singly with equal ease, allowing samples to be processed as soon as they come into the laboratory.

H. pylori is a spiral shaped bacterium that colonises the gastric epithelium under the mucus layer of the stomach and duodenum and has been associated with a range of gastric conditions, including chronic gastritis [2], peptic ulcers [3,4,5] and gastric cancer [6,7].

References:
1. Nursing Times Online, 26 May 2004
2. Marshall, B. J. and Warren, J.R . (1984) Lancet, i:1311-1314
3. Johnston B. J. et al. (1986). Gut, 27: 1132-1137.
4. Goodwin C. S. (1988). Lancet. ii: 1467-1469.
5. Rathbone B. J et al. (1986). Gut, 27: 635-641.
6. Parsonnet J. et al.(1991). N. EngI. J. Med., 325:1127-1131.
7. Forman D. et al. (1990). Int. J. Cancer, 46:608-611.