RIDASCREEN® Helicobacter

Intended use:

For in vitro diagnostic use. RIDASCREEN® Helicobacter is an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the qualitative detection of Helicobacter pylori-specific antigen in human stool specimens.

General information:

In 1984, Warren and Marshall discovered the Gram-negative spiral-shaped bacterium Helicobacter pylori in the mucosa of the gastric antrum and corpus in patients with confirmed gastritis and peptic ulcers of the duodenum. Nowadays Helicobacter pylori is recognized as causative agent of gastrointestinal diseases like chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers and gastric cancer. In 1994, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified Helicobacter pylori as a group I carcinogen and inducer of gastric cancer.

The global prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infections in humans exceeds 50 %, but can greatly differ from country to country: Helicobacter pylori infection is more common in developing countries than in higher developed countries. The differences in Helicobacter pylori prevalence are caused by multiple factors, e.g. ethnicity and socioeconomic characteristics. The highest prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is observed in the older age group and in close living communities.

The clinical presentation of Helicobacter pylori infection ranges from lifelong asymptomatic gastritis to gastrointestinal malignancy. If an Helicobacter pylori infection becomes symptomatic, there will be no typical health problems. Unspecific symptoms of an unrecognized Helicobacter pylori infection are: epigastric pain, right-hand epigastralgia, abdominal fullness, feeling of pressure, acid reflux and ructus.

Only diagnostic testing will give information on the Helicobacter pylori infection status.

Comment:

Only available outside of Germany