Indicated for: diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection
Route of administration: oral
Substance: 13C - urea (diagnostic agent)
ATC: V04CXN1 (Various | Other diagnostic agents)
The carbon-13 urea breath test (13C-UBT) is a non-invasive method used to diagnose Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, a bacterium associated with gastritis, gastric ulcers, and, in some cases, gastric cancer.
The test involves the oral administration of a solution containing urea labeled with the stable isotope carbon-13. If H. pylori is present in the stomach, the bacterium breaks down the urea into carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia. The 13C-labeled CO2 is absorbed into the bloodstream, transported to the lungs, and exhaled. A breath sample is then analyzed to detect the presence of the 13C isotope.
This test is safe, accurate, and quick, making it a preferred choice due to its non-invasive nature. Patients should avoid antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, or bismuth compounds for at least two weeks before the test to prevent false-negative results.
The test is used both for the initial diagnosis of the infection and to confirm the eradication of the bacterium after treatment.