Test Directory

Analysis of pre- and postbreath samples to detect ¹³CO₂

The urea breath test can be used to aid in the diagnosis of H pylori infection. The test can also be used to assess therapy when it is administered more than a month after completion of therapy.

Specimen Type: Breath Sample Bags

Collection Container: One blue sample bag labelled "baseline" AND one "postdose" sample bag

Desired Volume: One pre- and one post-ingestion breath sample

Blue sample bag (baseline) must be collected as follows:

1. Remove the blue breath collection bag from the kit and remove the pulloff cap from mouthpiece of the breath collection bag. 
2. Instruct the patient to breathe normally, then take a deep breath, pause holding their breath for a full second (counting one, one thousand) then exhale into the mouthpiece of the bag. Replace the cap in the mouth piece of the bag.
3. Prepare the fruit-flavored powder solution, containing 13C-urea diagnostic component as detailed in the kit instructions 

Postdose sample bag is collected as follows:

1.  Instruct the patient to drink all the solution without “rinsing” mouth before swallowing
2.  Have the patient sit quietly for 15 minutes. 
3. After 15 minutes, collect the gray sample bag as outlined for the baseline specimen above

Call Referral Testing for test kit availability.

• The patient should fast for at least one hour prior to testing.
• The patient should not take antimicrobials, proton pump inhibitors, or bismuth preparations within two weeks prior to testing.
• Note: Solution contains phenylalanine. Phenylketonurics should be warned.

Transport to the laboratory at room temperature.  

• Specimens collected from persons younger than 3 years of age

See patient report.

• Ubit
• Urea Breath Test