Helicobacter pylori Antibody, IgM
Code:17043
| Includes | Helicobacter pylori IgM antibody |
|---|
Analysis details
Methodology
- Chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)
Expected Turnaround Time
1–2 days
Special Instructions
- Avoid high‑fat foods for 24 hours before the blood draw.
- Do not smoke during the 30 minutes preceding specimen collection.
How to use
The Helicobacter pylori Antibody, IgM test (H. pylori IgM; Helicobacter pylori antibody, IgM) assists in recognizing a recent or acute H. pylori infection. When evaluated in parallel with IgG and/or IgA serology, it can help place the infection on a temporal spectrum (acute versus chronic). Clinicians may use this serologic assay in the workup of dyspepsia, suspected gastritis, or peptic ulcer disease when an acute infectious process is of concern.
Limitations
Helicobacter pylori is a common chronic bacterial infection worldwide, with higher rates in developing regions than in developed countries. It is a causal agent of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease and is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. Transmission most often occurs in childhood, and infection typically persists for life in the absence of eradication therapy. Prevalence is influenced by sanitation, hygiene, and socioeconomic conditions. Diagnostic strategies span noninvasive testing such as serology and the urea breath test, and invasive endoscopic evaluation with biopsy for rapid urease testing, antigen detection, histology, or culture. IgM antibodies to H. pylori appear within days of infection, peak at approximately 1–4 weeks, and then decline; therefore, low or absent IgM does not exclude infection and is common in chronic disease. Comprehensive assessment frequently incorporates IgM alongside IgG and IgA serology, with interpretation anchored to the clinical context.
| Reference interval |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indications | Unexplained dyspepsia or epigastric discomfort when gastritis or peptic ulcer disease is being considered, Staging of Helicobacter pylori infection to distinguish a possible acute process from chronic infection when combined with other antibody classes |
Possible Causes of Abnormal Results
Decreased levels
- immunodeficiency
- immunosuppressive therapy
Specimen Requirements
| Specimen | Serum |
|---|---|
| Container | Gold/Tiger Top (SST, Gel Separator) |
References
Debongnie JC, Delmee M, Mainguet P, Beyaert C, Haot J, Legros G. Cytology: A simple, rapid, sensitive method in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori.Am J Gastroenterol. 1992 Jan,87(1):20-23. PubMed 1728119Dooley CP, Cohen H. The clinical significance of Campylobacter pylori.Ann Intern Med. 1988 Jan;108(1):70-79. PubMed 3276266Eastham EJ, Elliott TS, Berkeley D, Jones DM. Campylobacter pylori infection in children. J Infect. 1988 Jan;16(1):77-79. PubMed 3367059Marshall BJ. Should we now, routinely, be examining gastric biopsies for Campylobacter pylori? Gastric mucosal biopsy: An essential investigation in patients with dyspepsia. Am J Gastroenterol. 1988 May;83(5):479-481. PubMed 3364408Marshall BJ, Warren JR, Francis GJ, Langton SR, Goodwin CS, Blincow ED. Rapid urease test in the management of Campylobacter pyloridis-associated gastritis. Am J Gastroenterol. 1987 Mar;82(3):200-210. PubMed 3548326Taylor DN, Blaser MJ. The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection. Epidemiol Rev. 1991;13:42-59. PubMed 1765119Veenendaal RA, Peña AS, Meijer JL, et al. Long term serological surveillance after treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. Gut. 1991 Nov;32(11):1291-1294. PubMed 1752457
Ozbey G, Hanafiah A. Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Risk Factors of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children. / Euroasian J Hepatogastroenterol. 2017 Jan-Jun;7(1):34-39.
Peter Nagy, Saga Johansson, Michael Molloy-Bland. Systematic review of time trends in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in China and the USA. / Gut Pathog. 2016; 8: 8.
Selgrad M, Malfertheiner P. Management of Helicobacter pylori Infection: What Should the Surgeon Know? / Visc Med. 2017 Jun;33(3):216-219.