Comparison of Helicobacter pylori Antibody and Antigen Tests for Diagnosing Infection in Symptomatic Patients - A Cross-Sectional Study from District Mardan

Sep 14, 2026

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Helicobacter pylori infection remains a major public health concern, especially where diagnostic resources are limited. This cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study compared ICT-based H. pylori antibody (blood) and antigen (stool) tests in symptomatic individuals from District Mardan, Pakistan, evaluating detection rates and practical suitability for low-resource clinical settings. Among 87 patients, antibody positivity was 82% and antigen positivity 76%, with no statistically significant difference. Stratified analyses by gender and age showed no significant effects. Both tests demonstrated comparable diagnostic accuracy, with antibody testing suggested for screening and antigen testing for confirming active infection and monitoring after treatment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Pages5

Reading Time13 min

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ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

Journal of Health, Wellness, and Community Research Volume III, Issue I Open Access, Double Blind Peer Reviewed. Web: [https://jhwcr.com](https://jhwcr.com), ISSN: 3007-0570 [https://doi.org/10.61919/67thsb08](https://doi.org/10.61919/67thsb08) Article Comparison of Helicobacter pylori Antibody and Antigen Tests for Diagnosing Infection in Symptomatic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study from District Mardan Hamad Ali¹, Muneeb Ullah² , Shawal Jamshaid², Hamza², Hammad Khan², Bilal Shehzad², Inam Ullah³ 1 Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Pakistan 2 Department of Microbiology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Pakistan 3 Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Abasyn University Peshawar, Pakistan Correspondence [hamadpathologist@gmail.com](hamadpathologist@gmail.com) Cite this Article Received Revised Accepted Published Authors’Contributions Conflict of Interest Data/supplements Funding Ethical Approval Informed Consent Study Registration Acknowledgments 2025-03-27 2025-04-21 2025-04-22 2025-04-28 HA conceived and designed the study; MU, SJ, HK, HaK, and BS performed data collection and laboratory work; IU assisted in data analysis; HA drafted the manuscript with inputs from all authors. None declared Available on request. None Respective Ethical Review Board Obtained from all participants - N/A Disclaimer : The views and data in articles are solely the authors'; the journal is not liable for their use.© 2025 by the Authors . This is an Open Access double blind peer reviewed publication licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4 .0) ABSTRACT Background: Helicobacter pylori infection remains a major public health concern, particularly in developing countries where diagnostic resources are limited. Accurate detection of this pathogen is crucial for managing gastrointestinal disorders, yet the comparative efficacy of non-invasive immunochromatographic tests (ICTs) for antibody (Ab) and antigen (Ag) detection remains underexplored in regional settings like District Mardan, Pakistan. Objective: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of ICT-based H. pylori antibody (blood) and antigen (stool) tests among symptomatic individuals, evaluating their detection rates and assessing suitability for clinical application in low-resource environments. Methods: A cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study was conducted among 87 patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan from October 2024 to March 2025. Participants were enrolled through convenience sampling after applying defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Blood and stool samples were collected and tested using commercial ICT kits. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, and chi-square tests were applied to compare positivity rates, with a significance threshold set at p < 0.05. The study adhered to the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results: The antibody test showed 82% positivity (71/87), while the antigen test detected 76% positivity (66/87), with no statistically significant difference (χ² = 0. 858, p = 0.354) . Gender and age stratification revealed no significant influence on test outcomes (p > 0.05 for both), though the highest prevalence was noted among males and individuals aged 26–50 years. Conclusion: Both ICT-based Ab and Ag tests demonstrated comparable diagnostic accuracy in detecting H. pylori infection. The Ab test may be preferable for screening purposes due to its higher sensitivity, while the Ag test is more appropriate for confirming active infections and post-treatment monitoring. These findings support context-specific diagnostic strategies in resource-constrained healthcare settings. Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, Immunochromatographic Test, Antibody Test, Antigen Detection, Gastrointestinal Inf

FAQs

What does the study compare between H. pylori tests?

The study compares ICT-based Helicobacter pylori antibody tests (blood) and antigen tests (stool) for diagnosing infection in symptomatic patients.

How was the study conducted and who were the participants?

A cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study enrolled 87 symptomatic patients at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan using defined inclusion and exclusion criteria and convenience sampling.

What were the main findings regarding diagnostic accuracy?

The antibody test showed 82% positivity and the antigen test 76%, with no statistically significant difference. Both tests demonstrated comparable diagnostic accuracy, with antibody testing suggested for screening and antigen testing for confirming active infection and post-treatment monitoring.

Sep 14, 2026

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