Establish the presence and possible etiologic role of Helicobacter pylori in cases of chronic gastric ulcer, gastritis, duodenal ulcer, dyspepsia, etc.
Antimicrobials, proton pump inhibitors, and bismuth preparations are known to suppress H pylori, and ingestion of these prior to H pylori testing may give a false-negative result. If a negative result is obtained for a patient ingesting these compounds within two weeks prior to performing the stool antigen test, it may be a false-negative result and the test should be repeated on a new specimen obtained two weeks after discontinuing treatment. A positive result for a patient ingesting these compounds within two weeks prior to performing the stool antigen test should be considered accurate.
