Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection

• Main Authors: Cheal Wung Huh, Byung-Wook Kim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Jin Publishing & Printing Co. 2018-11-01
• Series: The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology
• Subjects: Helicobacter pylori; Diagnosis; Guideline
• Online Access: http://www.kjg.or.kr/journal/view.html?doi=10.4166/kjg.2018.72.5.229

Accurate diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is mandatory for the effective management of many gastroduodenal diseases. Currently, various diagnostic methods are available for detecting these infections, and the choice of method should take into account the clinical condition, accessibility, advantage, disadvantage, as well as cost-effectiveness. The diagnostic methods are divided into invasive (endoscopic-based) and non-invasive methods. Non-invasive methods included urea breath test, stool antigen test, serology, and molecular methods. Invasive methods included endoscopic imaging, rapid urease test, histology, culture, and molecular methods. In this article, we provide a review of the currently available options and recent advances of various diagnostic methods.