@article {Christie27, author = {J M Christie and C A McNulty and N A Shepherd and R M Valori}, title = {Is saliva serology useful for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori?}, volume = {39}, number = {1}, pages = {27--30}, year = {1996}, doi = {10.1136/gut.39.1.27}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Cortecs Diagnostics Helisal Assay test is a quantitative immunoassay for salivary IgG antibodies against Helicobacter pylori. Saliva can be obtained simply with the kit in the general practitioners surgery. AIMS: To compare the new saliva serological test for H pylori with {\textquoteright}gold standard{\textquoteright} evidence of H pylori infection (antral biopsy specimens for histology, culture, and urease test) and a new serum serological test. PATIENTS: Eighty six unselected dyspeptic patients undergoing endoscopy. METHODS: Each patient provided saliva and serum before endoscopy for H pylori serology, which was compared against {\textquoteright}gold standard{\textquoteright} evidence of infection. RESULTS: Thirty two patients were H pylori positive by the {\textquoteright}gold standard{\textquoteright} tests. At a cut off value of 0.15 EU/ml the saliva test had a sensitivity of 88\% and a specificity of 71\%, with a negative predictive value of 90\%. If patients who were taking omeprazole or had recent antibiotics are excluded, the sensitivity is unchanged but the specificity increases to 79\%. The serum test had a similar sensitivity of 85\% but better specificity of 78\%. CONCLUSION: Serum testing remains the best serological test for H pylori in the hospital setting. Saliva testing may have a role in epidemiological studies and in screening dyspeptic patients in general practice, especially in children in whom venesection is more difficult.}, issn = {0017-5749}, URL = {https://gut.bmj.com/content/39/1/27}, eprint = {https://gut.bmj.com/content/39/1/27.full.pdf}, journal = {Gut} }