The high sensitivity and specificity of rapid urease test in diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in Moroccan children

Lahbib Hibaoui; Abdelhamid Massik; Zina Lebbar; Ghita Yahyaoui; Mustapha Mahmoud; Laila Bougnouch; Naoual Hamass; Laila Chbani; Bahia Bennani; Mohamed Amine Berrahou; Mounia Lakhdar Idriss; Moustapha Hida

doi:10.18502/ijm.v14i5.10960

Lahbib Hibaoui Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Abdelhamid Massik Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Zina Lebbar Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Ghita Yahyaoui Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Mustapha Mahmoud Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Laila Bougnouch Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Naoual Hamass Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Laila Chbani Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Bahia Bennani Microbiology and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Microorganisms Team, Genomics and Oncogene Factors, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Mohamed Amine Berrahou Laboratory of Epidemiology, Clinical Research and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Mounia Lakhdar Idriss Community Health, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco
Moustapha Hida Community Health, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v14i5.10960

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; Children; Invasive tests; Rapid urease test; Polymerase chain reaction; Histology; Biopsy culture

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Infesting nearly 50% of the world's population, Helicobacter pylori are thought to cause pep- tic ulcers, as well as gastricadenocarcinoma. Several diagnostic methods are available to detect this bacterium; however, at least two must be used together for an accurate diagnosis. Thisstudy evaluated the use of rapid urease test for diagnosis of H. pylori infection in a pediatric population.

Materials and Methods: Five gastric biopsies were taken from children during a 2-year period for the purpose of histolog- ical, molecular, bacteriological culture, and rapid urease testing.

Results: Among 83 children, 38 were male, and 45 were female with an age ranging of 2 to 15 years. The infected group represented 31%. The rapid ureasetest had a sensitivity of 88.5%, a negative predictive value of 94%, a specificity of 84.2%, and a positive predictive value of 72%.

Conclusion: A rapid urease test may be appropriate for ruling out H. pylori infection after a negative result. The positive results however, may be confirmed by a second invasive test.