The study aims to determine the Seroprevalence of anti-H. pylori antibodies in patients with peptic complaints using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and compare serology with histological examination of biopsies from upper gastrointestinal e
ndoscopy to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of this assay.
The Study sample included 120 participants divided into two groups: 69 patients with peptic complaints who underwent upper GI endoscopy in Al-Assad Hospital in Lattakia (average age 47 years old), and 51 volunteers without peptic complaints (average age 33 years old). The study was conducted in the period between February 2011 and March 2012. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used to study the seroprevalence of anti-H. pylori antibodies and fluorescence intensity in the two groups.
The results showed that 63 of the patients group (91.3%) and 39 of volunteers (76.47%) are anti-H. pylori antibodies positive. The comparison of serology with histological examination of biopsies showed a sensitivity and specificity of 78% and 80% respectively in the presence of moderate and strong degree of fluorescence. The results reveal the importance of IFA as a non-invasive screening test besides the endoscopy, and the utility of this technique for the epidemiologic studies in a local setting.
