Value of serology as a noninvasive method for evaluating the efficacy of treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection

The systemic humoral response to Helicobacter pylori was studied in 86 infected adult patients before antimicrobial therapy and at intervals following therapy. Endoscopy with collection of biopsy specimens was performed immediately before treatment; a 13C-labeled urea breath test was performed, and blood specimens were collected before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment. Serum samples from three patient groups (eradication success [n = 50], eradication failure [n = 16], and no treatment [n = 20]) were assayed for IgA and IgG antibodies to H. pylori by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Levels of antibody to H. pylori before treatment were similar in all three groups. As expected, the no treatment and eradication failure groups had no significant changes in antibody levels during the study period. In contrast, for the eradication success group, the specific IgA and IgG antibody levels decreased progressively and significantly. We conclude that serology is a potentially useful way to monitor the success of treatment of H. pylori infection without using invasive or more expensive methods.