The best non-invasive test to detect an active H. pylori infection.
Patients ingest urea carbon labeled material which is hydrolyzed by H. pylori, if it is present , and it can be measured in the breath as 14CO2 or 13CO2.
The urea breath test detects the characteristic enzyme urease, produced by H. pylori, by a reaction that produces ammonia from urea.
This increases the pH, reduces the acidity, of the stomach environment around the bacteria.
Test of choice to demonstrate that an infection has been cured with treatment.
Post-treatment testing should allow four weeks after the end of treatment to detect any remaining infection.