How does the urea breath test detect H. pylori infection?

How does the urea breath test detect H. pylori infection?

• A. The patient drinks urea labeled with carbon-13 and CO2 is measured in the breath
• B. The patient consumes glucose and the breath is analyzed
• C. The test measures urease activity in blood
• D. Urea is not involved in the test

Answer: (A)

The test relies on the stomach’s urease activity to reveal an active Helicobacter pylori infection. When urea labeled with carbon-13 is swallowed, if H. pylori is present, its urease rapidly splits the urea into ammonia and labeled carbon dioxide. The labeled CO2 is carried in the bloodstream and exhaled in the breath, so a rise in the labeled CO2 in breath samples indicates infection. Glucose isn’t used to detect H. pylori here and wouldn’t reflect urease activity, measuring urease in blood isn’t a breath test, and urea is indeed involved in this test.

The test relies on the stomach’s urease activity to reveal an active Helicobacter pylori infection. When urea labeled with carbon-13 is swallowed, if H. pylori is present, its urease rapidly splits the urea into ammonia and labeled carbon dioxide. The labeled CO2 is carried in the bloodstream and exhaled in the breath, so a rise in the labeled CO2 in breath samples indicates infection. Glucose isn’t used to detect H. pylori here and wouldn’t reflect urease activity, measuring urease in blood isn’t a breath test, and urea is indeed involved in this test.