The role of Campylobacter (Helicobacter) pylori in disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

To evaluate the role of Campylobacter pylori in different gastrointestinal disorders, serum IgG antibodies against C. pylori were determined in dyspeptic patients and in a control group of healthy children and adults. Twenty-eight percent of the dyspeptic patients with normal mucosa were seropositive.

[Intragastric formation of ammonia in Campylobacter pylori associated gastritis. Diagnostic and pathogenetic significance].

The diagnostic relevance of measurement of ammonia (NH3) in not stimulated gastric juice in patients with campylobacter pylori associated gastritis (CPAG) is in discussion. The role of CP-urease induced NH3 in pathogenesis of active gastritis is unclear. In answering to this questions we evaluated the sensitivity and specifity of NH3-test and CLO-test in cases of CPAG (n = 50), non CPAG (n = 16) and normal gastric mucosa (n = 20).

[A rapid urease test in Campylobacter pylori colonization of the gastric mucosa].

Biopsies from the gastric mucosa (antrum, corpus) of 145 patients investigated by endoscopy were analysed for Campylobacter pylori. The results of bacteriological, histological, enzymatic and chemical methods were compared. Urease activity was determined both in biopsies (CLO-test) and in gastric secretion.

[Hydrogen (H2) exhalation tests--methods for general practice].

According to the literature as well as to own experience hydrogen breath tests seem to be suitable for a gastroenterologist's practice because of their practicability (this means non invasive and cheap methods) and their diagnostic relevance (sensitivity, specificity). Although hydrogen breath test with lactose is now the best way for diagnosis of lactose intolerance, hydrogen breath test with glucose as a mean of investigation of small bowel bacterial overgrowth still is subject to discussion. Lactulose hydrogen breath test in order to estimate small bowel transit time is of minor importance in gastroenterologist's practice.