Which tests are commonly used to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection?

• A. Urea breath test and stool antigen test
• B. Fecal occult blood test and CBC
• C. Serum lipid profile
• D. Urine culture and chest X-ray

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is identifying active H. pylori infection with noninvasive tests. The urea breath test and the stool antigen test are designed to detect current infection. In the urea breath test, the patient ingests labeled urea; if H. pylori is present, its urease enzyme splits the urea, releasing labeled CO2 that is seen in the breath, signaling an active infection. The stool antigen test looks for H. pylori proteins in the stool, directly indicating current bacterial presence. These approaches are favored because they are accurate, noninvasive, and useful for confirming eradication after treatment.

Fecal occult blood testing and a CBC aren’t specific for H. pylori; they assess bleeding or anemia, which can be consequences of stomach issues but don’t diagnose the infection itself. A serum lipid profile has no relation to H. pylori, and urine culture plus chest X-ray target other conditions and void of diagnosing stomach infection.