Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin g positive. Helicobacter pylori bacterium, what is it and how to treat it? Taking medications and preparing for a Helicobacter pylori test

Helicobacter pylori a spiral-shaped bacterium that attacks the stomach wall and duodenum, causing atrophic gastritis, peptic ulcer and malignant tumors. About 50-60% of the population is infected with Helicobacter pylori, usually during childhood.

Due to its form, Helicobacter pylori is able to damage the protective layer of the gastric mucosa. The bacterium produces the enzyme urease, which is able to neutralize hydrochloric acid stomach. Thus, the wall of the stomach becomes susceptible to the damaging effects of hydrochloric acid and pepsin, which leads to gastric or duodenal ulcers.

Helicobacter pylori can act directly on stomach cells, weakening defense mechanism and causing mucosal inflammation. Helicobacter pylori is able to increase the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, although the mechanism of this process has not been studied.
The route of transmission of the infection is oral-fecal and household. Infection usually occurs from person to person through close contact (by kissing). The source of infection may be saliva, water.

Often, the infection can be latent without causing any symptoms.

Peptic ulcer of the duodenum in almost 100% of cases is associated with Helicobacter pylori. Antibacterial therapy, which is aimed at the destruction of bacteria, leads to a complete cure for peptic ulcer.

Helicobacter pylori is found in 90% of those suffering from stomach ulcers. Antibacterial treatment leads to scarring of the ulcer in 70-90% of cases.
Serious disease stomach - adenocarcinoma - in 70-90% of cases caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori.

Antibodies of the IgA class to Helicobacter pylori are produced 2-3 weeks after infection and remain in the blood for a long time. A decrease in the titer of IgA antibodies indicates the transition of the disease to a latent phase, and an increase indicates the activation of the process. Class A immunoglobulins are responsible for local immunity, and their amount is directly proportional to the severity of inflammation. In a small proportion of those infected with Helicobacter pylori IgA antibodies are not defined.

Antibodies of the IgG class to Helicobacter pylori begin to be produced 3-4 weeks after infection. A high titer of class G immunoclobulins indicates an active infectious process. Decreased titer IgG antibodies during treatment indicates the effectiveness of therapy.

This analysis allows you to identify and determine the amount of IgA and IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori, the causative agent of diseases of the stomach and duodenum. The analysis allows you to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection. The analysis helps to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-Helicobacter therapy.

After infection, the microbe appears in many environments of the body. So what becomes possible analysis for Helicobacter pylori in blood biochemistry, saliva, feces, and so on. The question of this is decided by the availability of appropriate capabilities at the local laboratory. A blood test is not carried out in order to detect the presence of IgG antibodies and some other complexes formed under the action of antigens (CagA and others). The decoding of the analysis is carried out according to the tables. So the norm in the blood of these substances is known.

The golden method among doctors is not considered a blood test for Helicobacter pylori. It is recommended to take a biopsy followed by inoculation of the sample on nutrient media. This is both an effective analysis of Helicobacter pylori and a way to determine the sensitivity of a culture to drugs.

In the serum, antibodies to Helicobacter pylori are rapidly formed. The picture is characterized by a quantitative change in inteleykins:

1. Increasing the number of IL-6, 8 and 10.
2. Reducing the amount of IL-2.

However, in studies conducted on adolescents, a discrepancy between the patterns in children and adults was found. From 14 to 17 years of age, no quantitative change in cytokines was recorded in people. Adolescents donated blood for Helicobacter, and no differences were found in the content of interleukins, necrosis factors and interferons.

What are cytokines

Cytokines have not yet been sufficiently studied, so the diagnosis in this regard is rather speculative. What was said above. Doctors are still figuring out the relationship between the concepts of Helicobacter pylori, blood test, norm and cytokines.

The described structures are protein complexes formed as a response of the immune system. By configuration, cytokines are close to hormones, and their functions have not yet been studied. Here are some assumptions about this:

1. Control over the production of blood cells and their differentiation.
2. Balancing the immune system.
3. Regulation of inflammation processes.
4. Maintenance normal pressure blood and its clotting.

Cytokines today are constantly replenished with new representatives of the class. Physicians divide them into classes as follows:

• Interleukins.
• Interferons.
• Chemokines.
• Monokins.
• Lymphokines.
• colony stimulating factors.

When a study was conducted on the then new infection of Helicobacter pylori, doctors found in numbers an increased background of IL-1 beta and IL-6 (on the mucous membrane, not in the blood). Over time, it became clear that inadequate reactions of the immune system, which refuses to fight the infection and gradually switches to autoimmune reactions, due to the formed cytokines. These substances penetrated into the cytoplasm of cells and intercellular substance.

That's why today positive analysis blood is deciphered as a source of problems in the area of cardio-vascular system, skin diseases, anemia and others. When first of all, a decrease in the level of tumor necrosis factors alpha, IL-8 and IL-1 beta is recorded.

Not all strains provoke such changes, but those that contain the CagA antigen. IL-8 is a provocateur of inflammation in the body.

Antibodies

When doctors faced the problem of replacing a biopsy due to the complexity of the procedure, they came up with a host of other methods. Tests for antibodies in the blood fall into this category. The analysis is considered non-invasive, although it is carried out with a syringe. Initially, the antibody test was similar to what is done for Campylobacter. Through cross reaction antigens physicians decided the issue of their presence in the blood serum.

With regard to studies on specific factors, for example, CagA, it was decided that this approach is inappropriate due to poor sensitivity.

The presence of IgG does not indicate the presence of an infection. It is possible to detect this fragment during the analysis for a long time. Due to the sharp decline in carriers of infection in developed countries, it is possible to determine the presence of IgG in those who have long received a negative status of the presence of a microbe.

Gradually, antibody titers fall. Paired analysis (before and after treatment) is required to understand what the diagnosis is. Therefore, uniform figures cannot be identified for a single patient. The drop in titers has been going on for decades. Today, doctors suggest assessing the success of treatment by a 50% decrease in 6 months. This feature is different hypersensitivity(97%) and specificity (95%).

Today, IgA and IgM immunoglobulin tests are not approved in developed countries. Since the reliability indicators are poor.

Other markers of the presence of infection

Apart from morphological features registered by instrumental methods (gastritis, ulcers, and so on), allocate Clinical signs, such as, severe hunger. This is due to the biochemical composition of the blood - increased level gastrin. A weakly positive increase in the level of pepsinogen is considered as a risk factor for the development of an ulcer. However, this factor does not indicate the formation of the disease, but reveals a marker of the presence of Helicobacter in the blood.

At first, this trait was attributed to the genetically inherent in the human body. Since the same is characteristic of autoimmune gastritis. However, a reanalysis of the situation showed that the bacterium is the cause. So doctors consider the level of pepsinogen and gastrin in the blood to be a weighty argument in favor of the diagnosis. So with an increase in the ratio of pepsinogens I and II by 25%, it's time to take a closer look. Furuta reports a specificity of this technique in 90% of cases and a sensitivity of 95%.

The hypothesis was tested by assessing IgG titers after treatment of the infection. 2 weeks after the cure, doctors recorded a decrease in gastrin. However, in order to take a blood test using this technique, you will have to perform it twice with an interval of 6-12 months.

Result Analysis

The result is evaluated, for example, by the amount that antibodies to Helicobacter give (immunoglobulins A, M and G):

1. 0.8 - total indicators indicate a negative answer about the presence of a diagnosis.
2. 0.8 - 1.1 - additional research is required.
3. Over 1.1 means that the infection is localized in the stomach.

Fecal studies

The bacterium is found in feces, so a stool test for Helicobacter pylori is an essential test for the bacterium. However, the stool is analyzed for antigen. In the US (Cincinnati), a kit has already been developed to quantify feces for the presence of the desired molecules.

The basis is laid linked immunosorbent assay, whose sensitivity to the antigen is 185 ng/ml. The preparation is very similar to what was written above in relation to blood samples. Antigens are deposited on the antibodies from the equipment (by means of protein identification mechanisms). However, this does not give an idea of ​​how to treat the infection. The fact that the antigen is in the stool indicates the presence of bacteria in the stomach.

Peroxidase bound polyclonal antibodies and sample are incubated for 1 hour. Then the material is applied to the wells and aged for 10 minutes. The bound enzyme changes the color recorded by spectrophotometric methods. To fix the result (to stop the process), a stop solution is added.

The result is comparable in reliability with the histological examination of the biopsy. Doctors do not even dare to say which is the most accurate. However, errors (5%) still occur. This is less common with a biopsy.

Doctors drew attention to the dependence of the quality of the ingredients supplied with the kit, as well as the importance of the professionalism of the laboratory staff. Reagents are obtained from guinea pigs, and standardization is greatly complicated due to a lack of knowledge about the required technologies.

The study of feces in terms of effectiveness is compared with a respiratory test. In this way, the reliability of the results obtained by blood is determined.

Methods for assessing the presence of infection

In addition to how the analysis is given, how the sample is taken, there are ways to evaluate the necessary parameters. The above is information about biochemical and enzyme immunoassay varieties. But the exact one is PCR. This is the cloning of DNA sections using special reactions, which makes it possible to detect a bacterium.

This method is considered promising today. Especially when it comes to dysentery. PCR for the determination of a microbe in feces is difficult, since the presence of specific components prevents the reaction from proceeding. This makes it difficult to understand the results correctly. In addition, some sections of DNA are similar to those found in other bacteria (of which there are many in the feces). Therefore, the test in this case is not considered optimal, but is more expensive than the respiratory one.

However, PCR allows you to quickly detect DNA mutations that determine the resistance of the class to certain medications. So reliability fades into the background before the prospects that open up to researchers (in a scientific, not a clinical sense).

General selection instructions

From what has been said, it is clear that one examination complements the other. They are not alternatives to each other. Check on both methods to correctly diagnose the disease. These methods are complementary.

For the most part, both are used after treatment to assess the success of eradication. In order to determine the titer, where the effect of the presence of antibodies is increased. If we are talking about diagnostics, then feces are taken in the laboratory. Since this is how the presence of a microbe in the gastrointestinal tract is detected. As far as blood is concerned, best results are obtained with two samples spaced apart in time. Which is not appropriate in all cases.

More often, however, a breath test is done, which people sometimes take at home. And if necessary, blood is taken by doctors in the clinic. A verified case is one when a biopsy is taken during FGDS, followed by seeding on nutrient medium. Better yet, nothing has been invented.

And the types under consideration are auxiliary methods. If we are talking about express analysis, the study of feces helps to clarify the diagnosis. If about treatment, the state of the blood characterizes the effectiveness of eradication. Those wishing to determine the presence of a microbe are better off starting with a breath test, as it is harmless and easy to implement.

Description

Method of determination immunoassay

Material under study Serum

Home visit available

A marker confirming infection with Helicobacter pylori. These antibodies begin to be produced 3 to 4 weeks after infection. High titers of antibodies to H. pylori persist until and for some time after the eradication of the microorganism. features of the infection. Helicobacter pylori infection. H. pylori is one of the most widespread infections on earth today. H.pylori-associated diseases include chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer stomach and duodenum. Damage to the gastric mucosa is caused by direct damage to it by a microorganism, as well as secondary damage to the mucous membrane of the stomach, duodenum and cardial part of the esophagus under the influence of H. pylori aggression factors. Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium with flagella. bacterial cell surrounded by a layer of gel - glycocalyx, which protects it from the effects of hydrochloric acid gastric juice. Helicobacter is sensitive to action high temperatures, but persists for a long time in a humid environment.

Infection occurs by food, fecal-oral, household routes. H.pylori has the ability to colonize and persist in the gastric mucosa. Pathogenic factors include enzymes (urease, phospholipase, protease, and gamma-HT), flagella, cytotoxin A (VacA), hemolysin (RibA), heat shock proteins, and lipopolysaccharide. Bacterial phospholipase damages the membrane of epitheliocytes, the microorganism attaches to the surface of the epithelium and penetrates into the cells. Under the action of urease and other pathogenicity factors, the mucous membrane is damaged, inflammatory reactions and the formation of cytokines, oxygen radicals, and nitric oxide increase. The lipopolysaccharide antigen has a structural similarity with blood group antigens (according to the Lewis system) and cells of the human gastric epithelium, as a result, the production of autoantibodies to the epithelium of the gastric mucosa and the development of atrophic autoimmune gastritis are possible. The surface location of urease allows you to escape the action of antibodies: the urease-antibody complex is immediately separated from the surface. Increased lipid peroxidation and an increase in the concentration of free radicals increases the likelihood of carcinogenesis. Seeding of the gastric mucosa with H. pylori is accompanied by the development of superficial antral gastritis and duodenitis, leading to an increase in the level of gastrin and a decrease in the production of somatostatin, followed by an increase in the secretion of hydrochloric acid. An excess amount of hydrochloric acid, getting into the lumen of the duodenum, leads to the progression of duodenitis and the development of gastric metaplasia, which creates conditions for the colonization of H. pylori.

In the future, especially in the presence of additional risk factors (hereditary predisposition, blood type I, smoking, taking ulcerogenic drugs, frequent stress, alimentary errors), an ulcerative defect is formed in the areas of the metaplastic mucosa.

In 1995, the International Association for Research on Cancer (IARC) recognized H. pylori as an absolute carcinogen and defined it as the most important reason malignant neoplasms human stomach (MALToma - Mucosa Associated Lymphoid Tissue lymphoma, adenocarcinoma). Epidemiological studies revealed more frequent H. pylori infection in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) than without them.

The factors responsible for the development of non-ulcer dyspepsia or GERD in H. pylori-infected patients are considered to be impaired gastric motility, secretion, increased visceral sensitivity and permeability of the mucosal cell barrier, as well as the release of cytokines as a result of its inflammatory changes. Eradication of H. pylori in patients with peptic ulcer allows discontinuation of antisecretory drugs.

Special meaning laboratory diagnostics H. pylori has in the following situations:

Indications for appointment

Peptic ulcer of the stomach and / or 12 duodenal ulcer.

Non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

atrophic gastritis.

Gastric cancer in close relatives.

For the first time detected Helicobacter infection in cohabiting persons or relatives.

Preventive examinations, to identify people at risk of developing stomach ulcers or cancer.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of eradication therapy.

Impossibility of invasive diagnostic methods (endoscopy).

Interpretation of results

The interpretation of test results contains information for the attending physician and is not a diagnosis. The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. An accurate diagnosis is made by the doctor, using both the results this survey, and the necessary information from other sources: anamnesis, results of other examinations, etc.

Units of measurement in the INVITRO laboratory: U/ml (semi-quantitative test, results above 8 U/ml will be reported as > 8 U/ml) Reference values:

For positive and negative results:

• 0.9 - 1.1 - doubtful;
• > 1.1 - positive;

For questionable results:

• 0.9 - 1.1 - doubtful (Perhaps it is advisable to re-examine after 10-14 days);
• > 1.1 - positive.

Positively:

1. IgG - H. pylori infection (high risk of developing peptic ulcer or peptic ulcer; high risk of developing stomach cancer);
2. H. pylori infection cured: period of gradual disappearance of antibodies.

Negative:

1. IgG - no H. pylori infection detected (low risk of developing peptic ulcer, but peptic ulcer is not excluded);
2. First 3-4 weeks after infection.

Reference values: negative.

Helicobacter pylori - pathogenic spiral-shaped microorganisms that easily enter the body by contact, airborne droplets. Bacteria play a key role in the development chronic diseases stomach, duodenum 12. In humans, they are located in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, while a blood test for Helicobacter is highly reliable.

Under the influence of provoking factors, bacteria begin to actively multiply and contribute to damage to the mucous membrane of the duodenum and stomach. The patient has the corresponding symptoms and complaints, on the basis of which the doctor prescribes FEGDS, a study of peripheral blood.

Indications for the appointment of tests for Helicobacter:

• recurrent stomach pain, nausea, heartburn;
• detection of gastritis with a chronic course on FEGDS, ulcerative lesion stomach;
• the presence of inflammation associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in one of the family members.

Mandatory preparation for the test

For almost any blood test, you must follow the rules of preparation. This will help avoid false answers.

Before you donate blood for Helicobacter, you should exclude:

• tea, coffee 2 days before the scheduled date of the examination;
• physical activity 1 day before the procedure;
• smoking, alcohol per week;
• fatty foods the day before the test.

The examination is carried out strictly on an empty stomach, mainly in the morning.

For the analysis of ELISA, blood serum is required, which is placed in a special tube with a coagulant gel that releases plasma for the study. In this case, before taking the test, you need to ask the doctor how to prepare for the procedure.

ELISA study

The ELISA method (also correctly called ELISA) is a rapid test that provides detection specific immunoglobulins, total antibodies. The study is carried out using a luminescent microscope, enzyme systems.

The test methodology is quite simple for a specialist:

1. In the morning on an empty stomach, a fence is made venous blood the patient in a special container.
2. The laboratory assistant prepares a tablet with 96 wells, each of which contains a specific antigen (bacterial protein).
3. Alternately, a drop of blood taken from the patient is applied to the wells. It enters into a chemical reaction with antigens.
4. In the well where the reaction occurred, the color changes (intensity, shade depend on the quantity and quality of antibodies in the patient's serum).
5. Using a spectrophotometer, the density of the obtained material is determined, a quantitative calculation of antigen-antibody complexes is carried out.

The bacterium does not persist in the blood. If a person has been infected or is in the stage of an exacerbation of the disease, antibodies will be contained in his blood - immune cells memory. Antibodies to Helicobacter pylori destroy pathogenic microorganisms, leaving information about them in case of a second collision.

The advantages of ELISA diagnostics include:

• availability;
• efficiency;
• the ability to compare values ​​in different periods;
• detection of bacteria at the stage of infection.

Fact! The test result may be false-negative if the immune system did not have time to respond to the penetration of the bacteria (the analysis was performed ahead of schedule).

Analysis shows false positive result due to:

• improper preparation;
• improper transport of blood, incorrect test (applies to medical workers).

If a person is completely cured, test results within two weeks may be positive. After a comprehensive long-term treatment it is recommended to check for the presence of a pathogen in 10-14 days.

If the blood test is weakly positive or positive, you need to repeat the test, perform a control FEGDS.

The meaning and interpretation of the analysis

The ELISA method can detect three classes of antibodies in the patient's serum: IgG, IgA and IgM. After the initial contact of the patient with Helicobacter pylori infection, usually all three types of anti-helicobacter pylori are detected in the blood.

Key Survey Values:

1. Sharply positive IgM indicates early stage disease disappears a few weeks after infection. This is a direct confirmation of Helicobacteriosis.
2. IgG appear in serum after a fall in class M antibodies. If IgG is elevated, this indicates the progression of the disease or its chronic course. Immunoglobulins G remain in the blood until the bacteria are completely eliminated.
3. IgA are detected 2-3 weeks after infection and are stored in the serum long time(some years). The amount of antibodies A perfectly shows the activity, the prescription of gastritis.

A specialist is engaged in deciphering the results, but many private laboratories provide response forms on which there are reference values ​​​​(average norms for a certain gender, age).

The patient can try to independently analyze the test according to the table:

Some laboratories issue conclusions in qualitative values, which have 3 degrees. So, three pluses (+++) mean a sharply positive result, two and one - positive, zero - negative.

Despite the speed of execution, ELISA does not give the most accurate answer for infection with Helicobacter pylori. Almost every person has come across this bacterium - antibodies to it can remain in the blood for 6-10 years.

CLINICAL BLOOD ANALYSIS FOR HELICOBACTERIOSIS

The bacterium does not affect the formula of red blood - hemoglobin, erythrocytes. Low numbers of these indicators may be the result of prolonged inflammation of the gastric mucosa. In this case, one speaks of anemia against the background chronic gastritis, ulcers.

Leukocytes may remain normal or slightly higher (≥ 11 G/L in adults). The ratio of subtypes of leukocyte cells (monocytes, lymphocytes, basophils, rods, segments) should remain unchanged.

Contraindications

The procedure is not carried out in the following cases:

• convulsions;
• agitation of the patient;
• skin lesions at the injection site;
• phlebitis - inflammation of a vein.

The price of the study ranges from 350-900 rubles. The duration of the response is different: in order to get a decoding of the analysis for Ig G, you will have to wait no more than 2 days, it will take more than 8 days to determine the level of immunoglobulin A.

It is important that the final diagnosis is not made on the basis of test results. Necessarily carried out: from the collection of complaints, examination to FEGDS. Only a doctor can understand and explain the changes that are taking place.

Today, many of us know that a small bacterium with the complex name Helicobacter pylori can cause such a pathology as a stomach ulcer. The history of the discovery of this microorganism stretched for more than one century. Helicobacter pylori was studied for a long time, did not want to recognize it, and finally finally found out its role in the occurrence of diseases digestive system. What is this bacterium and how can you get rid of it?

Dangerous microscopic organism

Many strains of bacteria are simply necessary for us to exist. With their help, the human body produces some useful substances(for example, vitamin K). Some types of bacteria protect the surface layers of the epithelium (urinary and airways, digestive tract, skin) from pathogenic microorganisms. However, Helicobacter pylori cannot be attributed to their number. What is this bacterium? It is considered pathogenic and causes a malfunction in the body.

Discovery history

Even at the end of the 19th century. many scientists could not answer the question with absolute certainty: "Helicobacter pylori - what is it?" But already in those days, many researchers assumed that such pathologies of the stomach as ulcers, gastritis and cancer are associated with infections. They found in the mucus of the diseased organ bacteria that have a characteristic spiral shape. However, the microbes extracted from the stomach, having got into external environment, quickly perished, and it was not possible to study them.

Answer the question: "Helicobacter pylori - what is it?" researchers could only a century later. Only in 1983, Australian scientists Barry Marshall and Robin Warren told the whole world that in the stomach mucus of people suffering from chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer, they found spiral-shaped bacteria.

This year is considered the year of the discovery of Helicobacter pylori, since publications made at the end of the 19th century were safely forgotten by this time. Most gastroenterologists considered the main reasons for the development of stomach pathologies to be stress and improper diet, genetic predisposition, excessive consumption of overly spicy foods, etc.

Bacteria Danger

The microorganism discovered by Australian scientists is unique. Until 1983, it was believed that not a single bacterium could exist in the stomach, because it contains aggressive hydrochloric acid. However, Helicobacter pylori refuted this assumption. This spiral-shaped bacterium is able to exist in the stomach and duodenum.

Doctor-scientist B. Marshall proved the danger of this microorganism on himself. He deliberately infected himself with H. pylori. After that, he developed gastritis.

This whole story has a happy ending. The doctor proved the involvement of the bacterium in the development of the pathology of the digestive tract. He got rid of gastritis after a two-week course of antibiotic therapy, and together with R. Warren received the Nobel Prize.

Later, other varieties of Helicobacter were discovered. Some of them cause development infectious diseases in a person.

Bacteria's habitat

Helicobacter pylori is a microorganism that has been able to adapt to exist in the bacterium found under layers of thick protective mucus that covers inner surface this organ. It is in this place that there is a neutral environment in which there is practically no oxygen.

There are no competing bacteria for Helicobacter pylori. It quietly reproduces and maintains its populations by feeding on the contents of the stomach. Its only problem is the counteraction of the body's defenses.

Thanks to its flagella, the bacterium deftly and quickly moves in gastric juice with corkscrew-like movements. At the same time, she constantly populates new areas. In order to survive in an aggressive environment, Helicobacter pylori secretes urease. This is an adaptive enzyme that neutralizes hydrochloric acid in the area around the microorganism. Thus, the bacterium easily overcomes the environment dangerous for all living things and reaches the layers of the mucous membrane unharmed.
insidiousness pathogen also lies in its ability to secrete special substances that allow you to get away from the response of the host's immune forces.

Bacteria prevalence

Helicobacter pylori lives in digestive tract almost half of the inhabitants of our planet. However, in most cases this pathogenic bacterium does not reveal itself. It is believed that Helicobacter pylori appears in children as early as early age. It enters the baby's body from loved ones or from family members. The way of its transmission is usually contact-household, through kisses, common dishes, etc. This is confirmed by the fact that, as a rule, all family members are infected at once.

An infected person can live with such a bacterium all his life and not even know about the presence of a pathogenic microorganism in his stomach. That is why no special measures are taken to detect these malicious carriers. Well, for those who suffer from symptoms of diseases of the digestive tract, a course of antibiotics can help.

The first signs of the presence of bacteria

Helicobacter pylori causes gastritis or stomach ulcers in the presence of certain factors. These can be gaps in the diet, reduced immunity, stress, etc.

The manifestation of the disease begins with a violation of the functioning of the digestive tract. If a person has heartburn, discomfort after eating, bad smell from the mouth, loss of appetite and sudden weight loss, as well as problems with stool, then this is the first signal that the body has begun to malfunction.

Sometimes Helicobacter pylori makes itself felt by the appearance of rashes on the skin of the face. Some patients turn to a cosmetologist, unaware of the presence of microscopic organisms in the stomach.

If you find the symptoms described above, you should immediately consult a doctor who should identify the disease. It is from the timely and correct diagnosis that the effectiveness of subsequent treatment will depend.

Research methods

What tests will the patient need to take so that the doctor can make the correct diagnosis?

To date, in medical practice Several methods are used to determine the presence of harmful bacteria in the human body. At the first signs of the disease, the following studies are prescribed:

1. Analysis of Helicobacter pylori blood. Studies are being carried out for the presence of antibodies in it, which are nothing more than a signal for the recognition of bacteria by the immune forces of the body.

2. Analysis for Helicobacter pylori feces. Ongoing research reveals the presence of the genetic material of a dangerous microorganism.

3. Breath test. With its help, specialists are able to determine the urease activity of Helicobacter pylori, located in the stomach.

4. Cytological studies. This method involves the detection of harmful bacteria using a microscope when examining samples of the gastric mucosa.

In order for the diagnosis to be as accurate as possible, doctors prescribe at least two different research methods to the patient.

Blood test

This study is called ELISA. This term means nothing more than an enzyme immunoassay. This study is conducted to determine the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

ELISA is a blood plasma test. During the study of the obtained biological material, various chemical reactions. With their help, the titers or concentration of antibodies in relation to the causative agent of helicobacteriosis are determined. What is the essence of this technique? It detects the presence of antibodies in the blood plasma, which forms human immunity when a foreign protein enters the body (it is a dangerous bacterium).

In what cases can we talk about the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the stomach? The presence of a dangerous microorganism is indicated by the results of tests confirming the presence of antibodies in the blood. But there is a certain nuance here. It is worth remembering that even if the decoding of a blood test for Helicobacter pylori gave a positive result, it does not give a 100% guarantee of the presence of an infection in the body. After all, antibodies in the blood remain for some, sometimes a long period of time in the body of a person who has completely got rid of a dangerous bacterium.

Sometimes it happens that a person donates blood for Helicobacter pylori. The transcript of the analysis shows a negative result (below 12.5 units/ml). It would seem that everything is fine, but ... It should be borne in mind that a pronounced response of the immune system appears only some time after the bacterium enters the body. That is why the results of some tests are false negative. The pathogenic microbe is already in the body, but the immune system has not yet given its response in the form of antibodies.

To overcome shortcomings this study, there is a need to perform fractional analysis of immunoglobulins IgA, IgG and IgM. These substances are nothing but various types antibodies that immune cells can produce.

What are these antibodies? So, IgG is the most common class of immunoglobulin. It is a substance that has a protein nature. IgG begins to be produced by the body 3-4 weeks after the infection enters the body. At the same time, in the presence of helicobacteriosis, the concentration of this immunoglobulin correlates with respect to the activity of the bacterium. A month after the elimination of the infection, IgG in the blood is not detected.
A relatively small fraction of free proteins are type M immunoglobulins. They are the first to be found in the blood of a patient infected with Helicobacter pylori.

As for IgA, this immunoglobulin is secretory. Antibodies of this type in the presence of infection can be found not only in the blood, but also in saliva, as well as in the gastric juice of the patient. Their presence indicates a high activity of the pathological process.

If an analysis is made for Helicobacter pylori, the norm of antibodies of all types is detected in the case of a quantitative rather than a qualitative determination of IgA, IgM and IgG. With such studies, experts put the final result depending on the laboratory in which the tests are taken. For this, norms are used.

On the form on which you can see the result (Helicobacter pylori is in the body or not), numbers are affixed. Their values ​​regulate the norm, as well as the presence of pathology for the reference values ​​of antibodies present in the body.

There are laboratories in which indicators are affixed indicating the doubtfulness of the result obtained for Helicobacter pylori (12.5-20 units / ml). In the presence of such values, doctors prescribe a second test. But it can be done only after two or three weeks.

What does it mean if, after donating blood for Helicobacter pylori, the IgG norm is indicated in the transcript of the results (below 0.9 U / l)? In such cases, the specialist can conclude that there is no Helicobacter pylori in the body.

If a blood test is taken for Helicobacter pylori, the norm will indicate to the doctor early period experienced by the patient after infection. If at the same time a negative result is obtained for the presence of other types of antibodies in the body, then it will clearly indicate the absence of a pathogenic microbe in the body.

What do the other results that are obtained when the blood test was deciphered for Helicobacter pylori testify? The norm of IgA immunoglobulin will tell that the patient is going through an early period after infection. However, such an indicator may also indicate the absence of Helicobacter pylori. This is confirmed normal values other types of antibodies.

Preparing for a blood test and donating it

In order to determine the presence or absence of infection in the body as reliably as possible, doctors give certain recommendations to their patients. If a person is assigned an analysis for Helicobacter pylori, how to take it to get the most reliable results? Experts recommend excluding fatty foods from the menu on the eve of visiting the laboratory. It should be borne in mind that only in the morning is an analysis for Helicobacter pylori. How to submit it? Only on an empty stomach. The patient's blood is taken from a vein. It is placed in a test tube containing a special gel that folds the collected biological material. In this case, the separation of plasma occurs, which is examined for the presence of antibodies.

breath test

Urease analysis allows you to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the body due to the ability of the bacterium to produce a special enzyme that protects it from the aggressive environment of the stomach. It is an enzyme (urease) that breaks down urea in the digestive tract. This reaction produces ammonia and carbon dioxide. The last of these two elements is released when the patient breathes.

This analysis has three modifications. They include:

Tests with urea labeled with radioactive isotopes;
- 13C study using urea with non-radioactive isotopes;
- helik-test, in which urea is used instead of isotopes.

What can be the interpretation of pylori? The norm, indicating the absence of contamination, is the case when the marked isotopes are completely absent in the air exhaled by the patient.

Before passing the urease test, the patient should limit the intake of water and food. The morning trip to the laboratory is done on an empty stomach. It is also not recommended to drink an hour before the test. Within 1.5 days before the study, the patient should not eat cabbage and apples, black bread and legumes, as well as other foods that promote increased gas formation.

Getting rid of a dangerous microorganism

How to treat the bacterium Helicobacter pylori? Since a harmful bacterium is able to exist in the human body without any manifestation of symptoms, therapy is carried out only in cases where there is already a gastritis, ulcer or other pathological processes.

If the Helicobacter pylori bacterium is found in the stomach, the doctor will decide how to treat it. Only a specialist will be able to choose one of several therapy regimens for his patient. And he will do it on the basis of individual characteristics patient, taking into account his reaction to certain drugs.

So, antibacterial agents can be prescribed by a gastroenterologist. With their help, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori in the stomach can be eliminated. How to treat a patient with antibiotics? In the regimen, the doctor includes such pharmacological agents, like Azithromycin, Flemoxin, Clarithromycin, Levofloxacin. Antibacterial drugs "De-nol", "Metronidazole", etc. can also be prescribed.

With a stomach ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcer, gastritis and other pathologies, what other treatment will Helicobacter pylori require? Reviews of gastroenterologists indicate that therapy that helps eliminate such an infection should include medications to reduce the secretion of gastric juice. Only in this case, the infection will be in an unfavorable environment for it. A couple of weeks, and sometimes a little longer, a similar treatment from Helicobacter pylori lasts. Patient reviews confirm the effectiveness and convenience of such therapy.

Simultaneously in complex treatment It is recommended to use the advice of folk healers. Certainly, natural remedies will not save a person from bacteria, but they will help in eliminating painful symptoms and in accelerating the process of restoring the gastric mucosa.

Of the most effective folk remedies the following can be distinguished:

Decoctions of St. John's wort, chamomile, calamus and lingonberry leaves, which have an antiseptic and soothing effect;
- flax seeds and oil, which can create an enveloping effect;
- tinctures made from rosehip and pear flowers.