EurekAlert -- Serology and C14-UBT are the most commonly used non-invasive tests of H. pylori infection. The diagnostic characteristics of the tests depend also on the prevalence of H. pylori infection in the population tested. The diagnostic characteristics of the tests depend also on the prevalence of H. pylori infection in the population tested. Higher prevalences would imply higher sensitivity and lower specificity. There are reports suggesting that there is an association between the level of H. pylori IgG antibodies and the severity of inflammation of the gastric mucosa and also between antibody level and a current peptic ulcer. If so, the level, not only positively or not, of H. pylori IgG antibody tests might be of clinical importance.
