The utilization of a new immunochromatographic test in detection of Helicobacter pylori antibody from maternal and umbilical cord serum.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) was linked with several extragastrointestinal diseases, including preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction of fetus. One of the signals which can be transferred from mother to fetus is the H. pylori IgG antibody. Aims. We utilized a commercial immunochromatographic kit to detect the antibody in maternal and cord serum.

Methods: Three hundred and forty-six females were enrolled and the blood samples were collected on antenatal examination and on delivery. The maternal H. pylori infection was determined by stool H. pylori antigen test.

Results: One hundred and five females (30.3%) were H. pylori-infected, and the prevalence was higher in immigrants (43.5%) than in Taiwanese (28.7%, P = 0.058). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the kit were 77.1%, 88.0%, 73.6%, 89.8%, and 84.7%, respectively. This kit also had similar performance in cord serum. Comparing to the maternal result on delivery, this kit offered a consistent performance in antenatal maternal serum (kappa coefficient 0.92) and in cord serum (kappa coefficient 0.88).

Conclusions: H. pylori IgG antibody can be transferred through the placenta into the fetal circulation. However, accuracy of the test kit needs to be evaluated before utilization in screening.