[Antigens for the ELISA test for serodiagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection]

Semipurified urease and outer membranes of Helicobacter pylori were isolated and used as antigens for the construction of new ELISA tests for the serodiagnosis of infections caused by this microorganism. The highest discriminating capacity between infected and not infected subjects was obtained by the test detection of IgG antibodies against the urease antigen which reached a 100% sensitivity, 90% specificity, a 100% negative and 91% positive predictive value. Examination of sera of healthy children and blood donors revealed the possibility of asymptomatic infection and an increase of specific antibody levels with age.