Comparative susceptibility of Pyrenean and Brown Swiss calves to gastrointestinal nematodes in subclinical naturally acquired infections

The susceptibility of two common breeds of cattle in the Pyrenees, Brown Swiss and Pyrenean breed, to parasitism by gastrointestinal nematodes was studied. Twenty-two female calves (13 Brown Swiss and 9 Pyrenean), 3 months old with a mean weight of 112.8 +/- 18.33 and 103.3 +/- 17.11 kg respectively at the start of the study, were used. The calves began their first grazing season grazing with 200 cattle following the traditional grazing system for mountainous areas: Stabling during winter (December-April), grazing on harvesting meadows at an elevation of 900 m in the spring (May-June) and autumn (October-November), and grazing areas between 1200-2100 m during the summer (July-September). Faeces, blood samples and calves growth rate were taken at 2-week intervals throughout the grazing season. Faecal egg counts of gastrointestinal nematodes, level of serum pepsinogen, total serum protein and blood parameters were measured. The worm egg counts and Cooperia sp. counts were significantly smaller in the calves of Pyrenean breed than in Brown Swiss throughout the experiment. Numbers of eggs of the other genera of parasites found were smaller in the calves of Pyrenean breed than in calves of Brown Swiss breed, but no statistical differences were found. Blood was compared during two periods: the prepatent and patent periods. During the first period, no differences were found between the breeds for any parameter studied. However, during the patent period, Pyrenean animals had significantly greater numbers of erythrocytes, haemoglobin values and packed cell volume (PCV) values, and smaller numbers of eosinophils than animals of the Brown Swiss breed. No differences were found in the level of serum pepsinogen, total serum protein and live weight gains between the two breeds.     

Effect of chemoprophylaxis with an ivermectin sustained-release bolus on acquired resistance to gastrointestinal parasites in cattle

The influence of chemoprophylaxis with an ivermectin sustained-release bolus in the first grazing season on the resistance of cattle to gastrointestinal nematodes during the following grazing season was investigated. In 1993 and 1994 dairy replacement calves were either given one bolus at the start of their first grazing season or left untreated. The two groups were grazed separately on a pasture that was divided into two similar sized paddocks. Faecal egg counts, serum pepsinogen and antibody levels were measured to evaluate host-parasite contact. Pasture infection levels were estimated by pasture larval counts and worm counts in tracer calves. After winter housing the animals were monitored during their second grazing season on a pasture that was also divided into two similar sized paddocks. Acquired resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes was evaluated by faecal egg counts and weight gains. Again, pasture infection levels were determined and pepsinogen and antibody levels were measured. During the first grazing seasons gastrointestinal nematode infections were controlled very effectively by the bolus, as shown by the greater weight gains, the negligible faecal egg counts and the low serum pepsinogen and antibody levels in the treated calves. In contrast, all parameters showed extensive parasite-host contact in the untreated animals. The efficient prophylaxis in the treated groups resulted in low levels of larval contamination on the paddocks grazed by the treated animals, compared to moderate infection levels at the end of both first grazing seasons on the paddocks grazed by the untreated animals. During the second grazing seasons (1994 and 1995) the faecal egg output was low in all groups. Although in the previously treated animals faecal egg counts were consistently higher, the differences were minimal, resulting in comparable levels of larval contamination on both paddocks. Serum pepsinogen and antibody levels were not significantly different between the groups and indicated a similar level of larval uptake on both paddocks. No negative effect of the previous chemoprophylaxis on the clinical condition and the weight gain of the second season grazing animals was observed.     

Worm population characteristics and pathological changes in lambs after a single or trickle infection with Teladorsagia circumcincta

The regulation of the worm population and of its pathological effects was studied after a single or trickle infection with T. circumcincta. One hundred and twenty lambs, 60 Romanov and 60 Mérinos d'Arles, 3 months old, were distributed in four balanced groups: non-infected (G0), infected with 7000 L3 per animal once and slaughtered after 4 weeks (G14) or 8 weeks (G18), and infected 8 times and slaughtered after 8 weeks (G88). Parasitological, histological, haematological parameters and weight gains were recorded on each animal. Female and artificially nursed lambs had lower worm burdens and egg counts (epg) than males and naturally suckled lambs. No difference in parasitological parameters was seen between the two breeds, but Mérinos lambs infected once, had a higher increase in pepsinogen concentrations than Romanov lambs. In the infected animals, a significant proliferation of mast and eosinophil cells was observed in the abomasum wall. Serum pepsinogen concentrations were significantly higher 3 weeks p.i. and the weight gain was depressed during the first month p.i. The worm population was more numerous and younger in group G14 compared with G18 in which 24% of the worms had been expelled during the second month p.i. The female worms in G18 were longer and had more eggs in utero and higher egg output. After the trickle infection (G88) the take was reduced, female worms were longer with more eggs in vagina (pars ejectrix) and there was a higher variability in the number of eggs (compared with G18 data). The pepsinogen rise was smaller but no specific effect was seen on histological and haematological parameters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The determination at housing of exposure to gastrointestinal nematode infections in first-grazing season calves

Various parameter estimates were assessed at housing in calves that had been exposed to gastrointestinal nematodes during a first grazing season. The analysis involved 41 groups of first grazing season (FGS) calves on 15 different farms in Belgium and comprised groups that had received chemoprophylactic treatment and untreated controls. Serum pepsinogen levels gave the clearest division between chemoprophylactic-treated calf groups (all were <2.6 U tyr), and untreated calf groups in which sub-clinical (range: 2.0-4.1 U tyr) and clinical infections (range 3.7-6.3 U tyr) occurred. There was also a tight relationship between individual pepsinogen values and adult Ostertagia burdens obtained at slaughter. In chemoprophylactic-treated groups there was a significant negative relationship between mean serum pepsinogen levels at housing and the proportion of the grazing season covered by different chemoprophylactic systems. Although only limited data on crude adult Ostertagia antigen ELISA were available, a good relationship between optical densities and estimated exposure was also found. The parasitological parameters, faecal egg counts and pasture Ostertagia larval counts at housing, and weight gain per day, gave less clear divisions among the three categories (chemoprophylaxis, sub-clinical and clinical). Distinguishing how much exposure a calf group has experienced during a first grazing season could help in designing more appropriate control measures for the FGS calves in the next year, assuring good protection and at the same time allowing sufficient exposure for the development of acquired immunity to Ostertagia, and for this serum pepsinogen is recommended.     

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The reappearance of strongyle eggs in faeces after treatment with ivermectin or pyrantel embonate was investigated in 22 foals, 36 yearlings, and 45 adult horses on five Dutch horse farms. The results confirmed earlier studies which showed an egg reappearance period of 9 and 6 weeks after ivermectin and pyrantel treatment, respectively. There were no differences between the egg reappearance periods of foals, yearlings, and adult horses. The mean egg counts of the yearlings were, however, consistently higher than the mean egg counts of the adult horses and foals in both ivermectin- and pyrantel-treated animals. It is concluded that shorter treatment intervals in foals and yearlings are not obligatory. However, longer intervals must be prevented in yearlings because their contribution to pasture contamination is relatively high.     

Reduced egg counts in mixed infections with Oestrus ovis and Haemonchus contortus: influence of eosinophils?

In all, 2 groups of lambs were infected either with Oestrus ovis first-instar larvae or with 10,000 third-stage larvae (L3) of Haemonchus contortus. Another group of lambs was infected with both parasites. Fecal nematode egg counts, plasma pepsinogen concentrations, specific O. ovis enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibodies, and blood eosinophil counts were monitored and compared to with the values recorded for a control group of uninfected lambs. There was no significant difference between the burden of H. contortus found in mixed and single infections. However, the nematode egg production was significantly depressed in mixed infections. O. ovis affects the population of H. contortus at least by decreasing the parasite egg output. This effect may be mediated through the increase in eosinophil production stimulated by the presence of O. ovis.     

Parasite spectrum and seasonal epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants in The Gambia

One hundred and four post mortem examinations of randomly selected sheep (52) and goats (52) were carried out weekly from March 1990 to February 1991. Gastrointestinal parasites were identified and counted. A large spectrum of 16 helminth species was found in 101 (97%) infected animals. The nematodes infecting small ruminants were, in order of predominance: Trichostrongylus colubriformis (96% of all animals), Oesophagostomum columbianum (82%), Haemonchus contortus (67%), Strongyloides papillosus (55%), Gaigeria pachyscelis (38%), Cooperia spp. (49%) and Trichuris ovis (12%). Forty-five (43%) necropsies revealed an infection with Moniezia benedeni, Avitellina centripunctata or Stilesia globulosa. Infections with Schistosoma bovis and Paramphistomum spp. were rarely seen. Goats carried significantly lower worm burdens than sheep and were less often infected by tapeworms. Nematode worm burdens followed a similar seasonal pattern in both host species. While Trichostrongylus colubriformis was also recovered in high numbers in the mid dry season, other species such as H. contortus, Strongyloides papillosus and Oesophagostomum columbianum reached distinct peaks in the rainy season (July-October). Different survival strategies for the prolonged dry season were observed. Haemonchus contortus outlived the unfavourable climatic conditions as inhibited larvae in the abomasal mucosa, while the other nematode species survived as adults with a reduced fecundity. Egg production per adult worm specimen was found to depend heavily on the season and egg counts in the dry season (November-June) did not correspond to the size of worm burdens. Unexpectedly high worm burdens were recovered from adult and old animals. Investigations of young animals indicated that no reinfection can occur during the dry season. The findings are discussed with regard to their relevance for strategic control of gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants.     

Collaborative problem-solving in telemedicine and evidence interpretation in a complex clinical case

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different infection levels of Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora in a simulated 'first grazing season' on the resistance of calves to an artificial challenge infection. The infection levels were determined by the infection schedules and the chemoprophylaxis used. Thirty six 7-11-month old Holstein-Friesian bull calves were randomly divided into four groups. The animals of group B received an ivermectin sustained release bolus (ISRB) on day 0. The calves of group D were treated on days 0 and 56 with a subcutaneous injection of doramectin (0.2 mg kg(-1) BW). Group C was the untreated control group. The calves of group N were used as helminth-naive controls, while the animals of groups B, C and D were trickle infected for 24 weeks. The infection schedules were designed to simulate the expected infection pattern for each treatment group under set-stocked conditions in temperate climate areas. After the last infection, all animals were treated with oxfendazole. One week later, all animals received a challenge infection of 50,000 O. ostertagi L3 and 100,000 C. oncophora L3, spread over 10 consecutive days. During the primary infection period the faecal egg output and the serum pepsinogen and antibody levels reflected the different levels of host-parasite contact between the groups (group C > group D > group B > group N). After the challenge infection, faecal egg counts, total Ostertagia burden, size of the adult worms and abomasal globule leucocyte counts all indicated a positive relationship between the level of Ostertagia infection during the primary infection period and the level of acquired resistance. A reduction of host-parasite contact during the primary infection period, as a consequence of the infection schedule and the chemoprophylaxis used, resulted in a diminished level of resistance to the artificial challenge infection with O. ostertagi. Faecal cultures and small intestine worm counts indicated that all previously infected groups had acquired a high degree of resistance to the Cooperia challenge infection.     

Field evaluation of the efficacy of the fenbendazole slow-release bolus in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes of first-season grazing cattle

The ability of fenbendazole slow release bolus (Panacur SR Bolus, Hoechst) to control gastrointestinal parasitism in calves during their first grazing season at pasture was evaluated in two field trials. The infection level on both investigated farms was low and the control animals did not develop parasitic gastroenteritis. However, it was possible to demonstrate significant differences in the parasitological and biochemical parameters between the control and treated groups during the grazing season. Faecal egg counts and blood pepsinogen levels in the control cattle at both trials sites were significantly higher than those of the bolus-treated cattle.     

Factors affecting C3 in intestinal schistosomiasis

Complement component C3 was investigated in sera of a group of schistosomal patients free from obvious nephritis. C3 was studied in relation to S. mansoni egg count, presence of HBsAg, and liver functions. C3 level was low in schistosomal patients than normal individuals. Levels were low in both HBsAg --ve and HBsAG +ve schistosomal patients. No significant difference was found between HBsAg --ve and HBsAg +ve in one hand, and between patients with egg counts more than 400 and those with egg counts less than 400 eggs/1 gr as regards level of C3 on the other hand. Presence of ascites did not affect C3 concentration. Positive correlation was found with Serum albumin, but not with prothrombin concentration serum alkaline phosphatase or serum transaminases.     

False-positive Ascaris suum egg counts in pigs

False-positive Ascaris suum egg counts in pig faeces are frequently observed under both experimental and natural conditions. Data from 12 experiments with A. suum infections in pigs were summarized and showed that the percentage of false-positive faecal samples ranged from 4 to 36%. False-positive egg count values varied greatly between pigs and experiments (range 20-1060 eggs per gram faeces). Indoor experiments with pigs housed groupwise in pens generally produced more and higher false-positive egg counts, which may reflect differences in surface area and hence exposure to infective eggs, compared with pasture experiments. The positive predictive value (the number of pigs diagnosed positive by faecal sample that actually harboured worms) was low for indoor experiments (45%) compared with pasture experiments (89%). Differences in design for indoor experiments, such as floor type and use of bedding material, did not influence the positive predictive value (44-47%). A positive correlation was found (r = 0.56, P < 0.05) between faecal egg counts of true-positive and false-positive pigs that were penned together. The results of this survey strongly support previous suggestions that false-positive A. suum egg counts in pigs are the result of coprophagia in indoor experiments and coprophagia/geophagia in pasture experiments. False-positive A. suum egg counts in pig faeces may vary greatly in prevalence and magnitude, and depend in part on management/housing factors.     

Faecal egg count reduction percentage calculations to detect anthelmintic resistance in Oesophagostomum spp. in pigs

The results of four alternative methods of mean faecal egg count reduction percentage (FECR%) calculations were evaluated and compared using data obtained for Oesophagostomum spp. from ten sow herds. The estimates of FECR% and 95% confidence limits obtained using the four methods were different. However, there were few discrepancies in the final decision as to whether a given herd carried drug resistant isolates or not. The methods that used geometric means were more appropriate than those that used the arithmetic mean as the measure of central tendency for eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) values. The use of geometric mean EPG values in calculations has been criticized from several viewpoints, one of which is that its use reduces the comparability of reports between laboratories. If the geometric mean is to be used as we suggest in FECR% calculations, the appropriate references, number of animals in each group, minimum and maximum EPG values and the factor added to zero EPG counts should be reported in order to improve the comparability. The difficulty in obtaining groups with similar pre-treatment EPG values in field situations suggested the inclusion of pre-treatment EPG values in the calculations as an adjustment procedure. The importance of including a non-treated control group in calculations was demonstrated during this study. Therefore, we suggest the use of geometric mean EPG values, to include pre-treatment EPG values and to include the egg counts from the control group in FECR% calculations. The interpretation of the resulting FECR estimate may be different according to the purpose for which the testing procedure is carried out, e.g. survey in detecting anthelmintic resistance, control field tests, etc.     

A putative role for larval nematode infection in diarrhoeas of lambs which did not respond to anthelmintic drenches

Attempts to control a summer diarrhoea in grazing Finnish landrace lambs which had been unresponsive to anthelmintics and coccidiostats were made by supplementing them with cupric oxide particles and withdrawing a magnesium-rich mineral, while maintaining parasite control measures. The diarrhoea persisted from July to September and plasma pepsinogen activities were raised, suggesting that the anthelmintic did not prevent abomasal damage; the jejunum of an affected lamb showed lesions of parasitic gastroenteritis. Small responses to cupric oxide particles and larger responses to the withdrawal of magnesium were deceptive, possibly being confounded by differences in parasite challenge. In another experiment Finnish landrace lambs were more susceptible to diarrhoea than Suffolk cross lambs in autumn. The susceptibility was then linked to a strong inhibition of worm egg output and may have been caused by a hypersensitive mucosal response to the larval challenge. Plasma pepsinogen concentrations were again raised in the Finnish landrace lambs and did not decline after treatment with anthelmintic, whereas the concentrations increased later in the Suffolk cross lambs, and were apparently responsive to anthelmintic. The cases of diarrhoea were similar to 'July disease' and may have been caused by continuous nematode infections which were only briefly controlled by drenches. Anthelmintic-unresponsive diarrhoea is the term proposed for the disorder, which may be controllable by devices releasing anthelmintic continuously or by a move to less infected pasture. Faecal egg counts remained low in the condition and were diagnostically misleading.     

Enrichment of hen eggs with n-3 long-chain fatty acids and evaluation of enriched eggs in humans

Eggs enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were produced by hens fed diets containing fish oil or a combination of fish and vegetable oils. In a sensory evaluation, 78 untrained volunteers could not distinguish between ordinary and enriched eggs. Storage life was also not significantly different between egg types. A food intake survey of 4 groups of 14 subjects each who consumed 7 eggs/wk for 24 wk showed that intakes of the major dietary components were not significantly different for 4 different egg types. Mean (n = 56) plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations were not significantly different at the start and finish of the study. Body weight and HDL concentrations increased during the study (P < 0.05). For the last 2 wk of the experiment (weeks 23-24), mean egg consumption was increased from a total of 14 to a total of 21 eggs, resulting in a small increase in plasma triacylglycerols only. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in body weight, blood pressure, or plasma lipid components among treatment groups consuming the 4 different egg types. Blood samples taken after 16 and 22 wk from fasted subjects showed significant increases in eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and total n-3 PUFAs in subjects consuming enriched eggs compared with controls. In addition, the ratio of n-6 to n-3 PUFAs in plasma was significantly reduced from 12.2:1 to 6.5-7.7:1 in subjects consuming enriched eggs compared with controls. Consumption of only one enriched egg daily can contribute substantially to the recommended daily intake of n-3 PUFAs.     

Evaluation of the clinical impact of endoscopic ultrasonography in gastrointestinal disease

A total of 120 gastro-intestinal tracts and 960 faecal samples were examined to assess the prevalence and seasonal changes in the gastro-intestinal helminth parasites of Red Sokoto (maradi) goats slaughtered at Ibadan between May 1991 and April 1992. Egg types of strongyles, Strongyloides, Trichuris, Skrjabinema, Dicrocoelium and Moniezia were encountered in 93%, 83%, 44%, 0.9%, 2.3% and 31% of the faecal samples respectively. However, only strongyle, Strongyloides and Trichuris eggs occurred in large numbers and were more common during the rainy season than in the dry season. The parasites recorded and their prevalences were Haemonchus contortus (90.0%), H. ovis (5.0%), Strongyloides papillosus (80.8%), Trichostrongylus colubriformis (78.3%), T. axei (69.2%), Trichuris ovis (72.5%), T. globulosa (38.3%), Oesophagostomum columbianum (67.5%), Cooperia curticei (58.3%) Gaigeria pachyscelis (40.8%), Skrjabinema ovis (5.0%), Nematodirus battus (5.8%), Moniezia expansa (29.2%), M. benedeni (10.0%), Paramphistomum spp. (5.0%) and Cysticercus tenuicollis (33.3%). Haemonchus ovis is reported for the first time in Nigeria. Mixed infections were most prevalent. Young goats were more commonly infected and had higher worm counts than adult goats. Only Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Strongyloides and Cooperia spp. occurred in large numbers. Irrespective of the age of the goats, higher worm counts were generally encountered during the rainy season than in the dry season. The results are discussed in relation to the control of helminthiasis in grazing animals in Nigeria.     

Variability of egg excretion in Schistosoma mansoni infection in Ethiopia: a case report

An Ethiopian boy, aged 18 years, and heavily infected with S. mansoni (1250 eggs per gram of faeces), gave stool sample for microscopy three times a day (at 9:00 am, 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm) for 5 consecutive days. Each time two slides were prepared by the modified Kato's thick-smear technique. The maximum egg count at each examination was converted to eggs per gram of faeces (EPG). There was no significant variability (at 10% level, F-value = 0.04) in in egg counts made at different times of the day. However, the coefficient of variations between the egg counts made on different days were fairly high ranging from nearly 61% to 73% and the differences being highly significant at 10% level (F value = 4.076). The implications of this day-to-day variability of S. mansoni faecal excretion in "selected" chemotherapy in Ethiopia is discussed.     

Fecundity of sealworm (Pseudoterranova decipiens) infecting grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada: lack of density-dependent effects

Uterine egg counts were determined by means of an electronic particle counter in individual female sealworm, Pseudoterranova decipiens (Nematoda: Ascaridoidea: Anisakidae) collected from grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) from Anticosti Island, northern Gulf of St. Lawrence, in August and September 1992. Mean number of eggs per female was 54,916.9 (+/- 51,866.4), with a maximum of 300,000. Egg counts were strongly correlated with worm length, and less so with host sex and age, sealworm sex ratio, and densities of Anisakis simplex and Phocascaris sp. No effect of sealworm density on worm egg counts was determined and competitive effects by Contracaecum osculatum on sealworm fecundity were not observed. Analyses demonstrated that variation in sealworm fecundity was greater among seal hosts within groups than between groups for host age and sex, density of sealworm, and density of C. osculatum. No evidence for density-dependent regulation of sealworm fecundity could be found. Variations in worm egg counts are attributed to individual host effects on worm growth and fecundity.     

Serum concentrations of thyroid hormones during egg laying in two types of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

In the present investigation a lighter white egg-type (L) and a heavier wild meat-type (M) of female Japanese quails were compared with respect to egg production, body growth, abdominal fat pad, serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations, TRH sensitivity and T4 5'-monodeiodinase activity in liver homogenates. During the investigation period L type layed considerably more eggs and M type was heavier in body weight. Abdominal fat pad in L type quails was significantly higher than in M type ones. L type quails had lower serum T4 and T3 concentrations than M type ones and the liver T4 5'-monodeiodinase activity was higher in M type than in L type quails. Following TRH administration serum T4 and T3 concentrations increase was higher in L type quails than in M type ones. Our results suggest that lower T4 and T3 observed in L type quails reflect a possible metabolic adaptation to egg production. Different activities of 5'-monodeiodinase and of response to TRH may be inherent to these two types of quail.     

Characterization of hemolytic and cytotoxic Gallysins: a relationship with arylphorins

The efficacy of injecting antibodies raised against turkey prolactin to prevent the expression of incubation behaviour has been investigated in turkey hens. Medium white turkey hens (n = 15 x 2) were injected three times weekly for 4 consecutive weeks starting on week 5 of egg production. The hens were injected im with a volume of 1 mL per injection for the 1st week and 0.5 mL thereafter, of normal rabbit serum or serum containing antibodies raised against turkey prolactin (Guémené et al, 1994a). None of the 15 passively immunised hens expressed incubation behaviour, whereas, more than half (53%) of the control hens did express it. Plasma prolactin concentrations observed in the two groups presented comparable profiles until week 9 and from week 19 of egg production onward. Differences were, therefore, observed from week 10 until week 17 with the non immunised hens showing higher plasma prolactin concentrations than the immunised ones. This difference was related to the presence of incubating hens in the control group. A higher percentage of non immunised hens disrupted egg production during the course of the study and consequently immunised hens laid more eggs than the control ones. No change in plasma LH and oestradiol concentrations can be related to the immunisation procedure. We conclude that prevention of incubation behaviour can be achieved using passive immunisation against prolactin, prevention which resulted in more egg production under our experimental protocol.     

Serum pepsinogen response to therapy for Helicobacter pylori associated gastro-duodenal disease

We investigated the effect of H. pylori therapy on serum concentrations of pepsinogens on 87 patients of gastro-duodenal disease. In addition, we intended to see whether serum pepsinogen can serve as markers of response to H. pylori eradication. In 48 successfully eradicated cases, there was a significant decrease in gastritis score, and was a significant fall in serum pepsinogen II (PG II) level, and was a significant increase in pepsinogen I/II ratio (PG I/II ratio). In contrast, no change in gastritis score, PG II, and PG I/II ratio were observed in 39 unsuccessfully eradicated patients. No change in serum pepsinogen I (PG I) level was observed in both groups. In provisional successfully eradicated cases in PG II of decrease greater than 30% in after treatment, there was a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 89.7%. For the PG I/II ratio of increased greater than 30% in after treatment, the sensitivity was 95.8%, and the specificity was 94.9%. These findings suggest that PG II, PG I/II ratio can be useful for clinical evaluation of eradication therapy.