German study backs Helicobacter pylori faecal test
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
A German team has backed Meridian Diagnostics' HpSA faecal antigen test for Helicobacter pylori as a cheap and easy alternative to C-urea breath testing, currently regarded as the best non-invasive test for the infection. Their study, published in the British Medical Journal (January 15), showed that Cincinnati, Ohio-based Meridian's faecal test had an overall sensitivity and specificity of 91.9% and 95.4% respectively. The faecal test, which is already available on the US market, is cheaper than the breath test and can be performed easily in any laboratory in around 90 minutes, they said.