Urea breath test
Urea Breath Test
The Urea Breath Test (pronunciation: yoo-ree-uh bref test) is a diagnostic procedure used to identify infections caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the stomach. The test is based on the ability of H. pylori to break down urea, a process that results in the production of carbon dioxide which can be detected in the breath.
Etymology
The term "Urea Breath Test" is derived from the chemical compound urea, which is used in the test, and the method of detection, which involves analysis of the patient's breath.
Procedure
The Urea Breath Test begins with the patient ingesting a capsule, liquid, or pudding that contains urea labeled with either Carbon-13 or Carbon-14. If H. pylori is present in the stomach, the bacterium will metabolize the urea and produce carbon dioxide, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream and exhaled in the breath. The breath sample is then collected and analyzed for the presence of the labeled carbon dioxide.
Related Terms
- Helicobacter pylori: A type of bacterium that can infect the stomach and is a common cause of peptic ulcers.
- Urea: A chemical compound that the body produces when it breaks down proteins. In the Urea Breath Test, a labeled form of urea is used to detect the presence of H. pylori.
- Carbon-13 and Carbon-14: Non-radioactive and radioactive isotopes of carbon, respectively. One of these isotopes is used to label the urea in the Urea Breath Test.
- Peptic ulcer: A sore that develops on the lining of the stomach, upper small intestine or esophagus, often caused by H. pylori infection.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Urea breath test
- Wikipedia's article - Urea breath test
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