HELICOBACTER PYLORI ANTIGEN FROM STOOL

The stool specimen is examined for the Helicobacter pylori antigen in order to identify an H. Pylori infection or determine the success of H. pylori eradication.

Sample collection

Investigation of a Helicobacter pylori infection: The sample should be taken more than two weeks after the discontinuation of antibiotic treatment or proton pump inhibitor medication. The sample should be solid, not diarrhoeic.

Determination of the success of Helicobacter pylori eradication: The sample should be taken more than four weeks after the end of treatment. The sample should be solid, not diarrhoeic.

Defecate on a suitable surface. Put approximately one tablespoon of stool into the sample container. Replace the sample container lid tightly.

The name tag is necessary for identifying the sample

Stick a label on to the sample container. Write on it your

• name
• social security number
• date of sample

After sample collection, place the sample container in a plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly. Deliver the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible but no later than on the day following the sample collection. The sample must be stored at refrigerator temperature.

Medication

Inform your physician if you have used any antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors or bismuth preparations within two weeks before the scheduled sample collection. Proton pump inhibitors include: omeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole and esomeprazole.

Further information

For more information, please contact the customer service of Fimlab Laboratoriot Oy, tel. (03) 311 74445 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or the customer service of the Ostrobothnia region, tel. (06) 213 1626 on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.