[ELISA tests for detection of Helicobacter pylori antibodies]

The efficacy of commercial ELISA tests for detection of Helicobacter pylori antibodies was investigated. Some investigators reported that six commercial ELISA tests had sensitivities of 81-96%, and had specificities of 29-96%. It is possible that some of false-negative results by ELISA may occur for patients who are in the acute phase of infection. When ELISA tests gave false-positive results, it should be taken into account that there might be some false negative diagnoses for the gastric H. pylori status, arising from sampling errors. Some of the false-positive results by ELISA might indicate the previous infection only.