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Breath Ammonia Measurement in Helicobacter pylori Infection

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Abstract

Our aim was to define the utility of breath ammonia measurement in assessing Helicobacter pylori infection. Volunteers breathed into a device containing three fiberoptic NH3 sensors at baseline and after ingesting 300 mg of urea. Breath ammonia levels were compared to the [14C]urea breath test. Thirteen subjects were tested. Before urea ingestion, H. pylori-positive subjects had significantly lower breath ammonia levels than negative subjects (mean ± sd, 0.04 ppm ± 0.09 vs 0.49 ppm ± 0.24, P = 0.002) and had a significantly greater increases in breath ammonia after urea ingestion (range 198–1494% vs 6–98%). One H. pylori-positive subject underwent treatment and breath ammonia levels shifted from the pattern seen in positive subjects to that seen in negative subjects. In conclusion, breath ammonia measurement for H. Pylori-positive and negative subjects showed distinct patterns. Breath ammonia measurement may be feasible as a diagnostic test for H. pylori.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Primary and Specialty Medical Care Service, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA

    David J. Kearney

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA

    David J. Kearney

  3. Pacific Technologies, Kirkland, Washington, USA

    Todd Hubbard & David Putnam

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  1. David J. Kearney
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  2. Todd Hubbard
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  3. David Putnam
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Kearney, D.J., Hubbard, T. & Putnam, D. Breath Ammonia Measurement in Helicobacter pylori Infection. Dig Dis Sci 47, 2523–2530 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020568227868

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