Research shows that in the majority of cases, Helicobacter pylori is the bacteria responsible for causing stomach ulcers, gastritis and virtually all abdominal ulcers, apart from drug-induced forms. It survives the acidic environment of the stomach and infection can lead to pain and inflammation, which over time can significantly increase the risk of gastric cancer.
It is recommended that such infections be treated with a combination of proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics to eradicate these bacteria. When H. pylori is eradicated, ulcers heal and don’t reoccur.
It would be wise to consider testing all immediate family members if one member does have H. pylori as it can be found in people who do not have symptoms of stomach ulcers or gastritis. High stress, caffeine, alcohol, aspirin or NSAID intake may increase the incidence of infection.
This test is also good to use as a follow-up to a GI-MAP test after H. pylori treatment, to monitor successful therapy.
This test uses a DNA laboratory technique called Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) to identify H. pylori in the sample. This H. pylori test also measures virulence factors, which can be associated with increased disease potential. The sensitivity panel shows which medication is most likely to be effective against your particular H. pylori rather than a generic H.pylori; this is important because there is so much resistance to antibiotics nowadays and it will help your practitioner to use the correct treatment.
Stool sample.
Please refrain from taking aspirin for two days prior to collecting your sample.
Please do not discontinue prescription medications without first consulting your physician.
As this test assesses levels of H Pylori as a concentration of pathogens, it is applicable to all ages.
This test is to be taken over the course of one day and it must be shipped back within 24 hours to ensure that it reaches the laboratory within this time frame.
A DHL courier return label is included with your test kit, along with full details for returning your sample.
Please only send samples back on a Monday or Tuesday.
Ship your sample on the same day of collection (unless collecting on a Sunday as DHL do not collect on weekends). If you cannot ship your sample the same day, please complete the collection and
keep the padded envelope containing the orange-capped vial in the refrigerator until you are ready
to ship. Do not store for more than one day.
Your sample must be shipped to the laboratory within 24 hours.
Failure to do this may result in you having to recollect.
21 days +/- 4 days.
Your test results will be emailed to you.
All sample reports are for representational and educational purposes only. Biomarkers, references ranges, results, and all other data may differ from actual reports. All data included in no way represents an actual patient. Any comparisons of results to actual patients is completely incidental.
Updated April 2020
