Easy-Card Helicobacter pylori Antigen Test Kit
Quick and Simple Identification of the Most Common Cause of Gastric Ulcers
The Easy-Card H. pylori lateral flow test is designed for rapid detection of H. pylori antigen in stool samples.
It gives an answer in just 10 minutes.
Sample processing is quick and simple using the dip stick sampling device
Applications
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram Negative bacteria which burrows through the protective mucous lining of the stomach to colonise the mucosal epithelium. It is associated with a variety of gastrointestinal diseases including gastritis, duodenal and gastric ulcers, non-ulcer dyspepsia, gastric adenocarcinoma and lymphoma.
It produces ammonia, proteases and toxins harmful to epithelial cells which can cause inflammation resulting in ulcers that can cause indigestion, gastritis, bleeding and if untreated may perforate the intestinal wall and require emergency surgery.
The organism is present in 95-98% of patients with duodenal ulcers and 60-90% of patients with gastric ulcers.
Even in the absence of ulcers, H. pylori infection can decrease iron uptake, so testing may also be considered for patients with unexplained iron deficiency as well those with suspected gastric symptoms.
Diagnostic tests for detection of H. Pylori
Tests for infection include blood antibodies, stool antigens and the Urea Breath test (UBT).
Of these the stool antigen and UBT are the preferred methods for identifying current infections, as the blood antibodies test cannot differentiate between active and past infections.
The UBT method stands out - in terms of the staff and patient time required as well as cost. Patients are required to attend the clinical facility where the breath samples are to be taken, with the overall procedure taking around 40 minutes. Samples will then be sent to a laboratory for subsequent analysis. As part of the test preparation patients are instructed not to eat or drink (including water) for up to 6 hours prior to testing.
In contrast the stool antigen test for initial investigations offers a cost-effective alternative with little or no compromise on sensitivity and specificity, and significant time benefit for patients and staff. There is no need for dietary restriction of the patient prior to testing and no need to attend clinic as initial sample collection does not require special apparatus or staff supervision.
Benefits
The Easy-Card rapid "one step" immunochromatographic method provides qualitative determination of H. pylori in human faeces. The membrane is pre-coated with monoclonal antibodies against H. pylori antigens and includes an internal control system.
The Easy-Card's lateral flow technology means it is clear and easy to read. It also has an integral control to validate the assay.
Sensitivity is 94%
Specificity 99%
The complete kit includes sample collection vial and
extraction buffer.
Extremely simplified test procedure:
Add 4 drops of the buffer, in which the sample has been dispersed, in the appropriate area of the membrane cassette
Wait 10 minutes to read the result
