[Serological diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection]

H. pylori gastritis elicits both a local and a systemic immune response. Although multiple invasive tests are available for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection, serum testing for anti-H. pylori antibodies is a minimally invasive test available to diagnose this infection. Latex agglutination is available, but most kits use ELISA. The sensitivities and specificities of many commercial kits were more than 90%. However, most of these serologic detection kits were made in Western countries. There might been the influence of geographical differences on test results. Recently, serological test has been reported about of usefulness in monitoring after eradication therapy at long-term period.