[Usefulness of combining a immunological fecal occult blood test (latex method) with a chemical test (guaiac method)]

A combination tests, using the latex and guaiac methods, has been carried out in 123 patients with a gastrointestinal disease and in 38 controls. The latex method was positive in 8% of the 38 controls, in 84% of 32 colorectal carcinoma patients, in 42% of 24 colonic polyp patients, in 22% of 9 gastric carcinoma patients, and in 22% of gastric ulcer patients in an active phase of their illness, whereas the guaiac method was positive in 39%, 81%, 58%, 78%, and 89% in the same order, respectively. From the above, a combination of both methods was found useful for the screening of hemorrhage in the gastrointestinal tract.