The H. pylori Stool Antigen Test is an in vitro qualitative immunochromatographic assay for the rapid detection of Helicobacter pylori antigens in human stool specimen. The test results are intended to aid in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection, to monitor the effectiveness of therapeutic treatment and to confirm the eradication of H. pylori in peptic ulcer patients.
 
Helicobacter pylori is a corkscrew-shaped, gram-negative rod that lives in the mucous layer of the stomach. H. pylori infection is now accepted as the most common cause of gastritis, and is etiologically involved in gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, gastric adenocarcinoma and primary gastric B-cell lymphoma.1,2 The organism is very common, infected at least half of the worlds population. H. pylori infection is typically acquired in childhood. Once acquired, infection persists chronically, probably continuing in the. stomach throughout life. The damage to gastric structure and function of stomach is constant and direct.