Background
/Aims: Rapid urease tests are used commonly for the detection of H. pylori. These tests are inexpensive and can be done easily and rapidly in the endoscopy room. A new rapid urease test, Hp Kit test, was developed for the first time in Korea. The test kit has two wells for two biopsies taken from each gastric antrum and corpus. We performed this study to estimate the diagnostic usefulness of Hp Kit test for the detection of H. pylori. Methods: In one hundred patients undergoing gastroscopy, biopsy specimens were taken for Hp Kit test, polymerase chain reaction, culture, and histologic examination (Warthin-Starry stain). The "C-urea breath test was also performed. The results of Hp Kit test were read after 2 hours. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of Hp Kit test to diagnose H. pylori infection were 90.0%, 97.5%, 98.2%, and 86,7%, respectively. The positive reactions in only one well were observed in 12.9% of true positives with Hp Kit test, The reaction times of the Hp Kit test were 35.2±21.4, 26.6±15.3, and 17.8±15.8 minutes (mean±S.D.) at grade 1, 2, and 3, respectively (r=-0.3, p<0.05), therefore the results were usually observed within 1 hour. Conclusions: Hp Kit test has a high sensitivity and specificity, and may be used as an alternative rapid urease test to diagnose K. pylori infection. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2001;22:8 - 13)