Usefulness and influence of age of a novel rapid monoclonal enzyme immunoassay stool antigen for the diagnosis of infection in children

A novel rapid monoclonal enzyme immunoassay stool antigen for Helicobacter pylori detection (Immunocard STAT!HpSA®, Meridian Diagnostic Inc , Cincinnati, OH) was evaluated in 29 infected and 99 noninfected children. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 86.2%, 92.9%, 78.1%, and 95.8%, respectively, with an accuracy of 91.4%. The highest performance was observed in children older that 10 years, with a sensitivity level of 100%, contrasting with a lower level, 75%, in those younger than 5 years. A good negative predictive value was observed in all age groups, particularly in older children achieving 100%.