07
Jul
Top Chicago gastroenterologist develops new test that better detects H. pylori bacteria
More than 50 percent of the world's population is infected with Helicobacter pylori in their upper gastrointestinal tract, though more than 80 percent of the infected individuals with the bacteria are asymptomatic, meaning they don't show any symptoms.
H. pylori infections are much more prevalent in developing countries while incidence of infection is decreasing in Western countries.
"Sanitation is not as good in developing countries and the cleaning process is not as good," Dr. Tat-kin Tsang, a top rated doctor of internal medicine in Chicago, says. "The bacteria is passed through feces and is very common in Hispanic, African-American, Asian and Middle Eastern people. These bacteria are ubiquitous in underdeveloped countries."
The bacteria, which can inhabit various areas of the stomach, can cause chronic, low-level inflammation of the stomach lining and has been linked to certain cancers.
"H. pylori can also be found in the heart, the brain and other areas of the body," Dr. Tsang says. "It has been indicated that H. pylori can cause stomach cancer and stomach lymphoma as well as stomach ulcers and gastritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach. My data also says that it can cause reflux and Barrett's esophagus, which is the precursor of esophageal cancer. The World Health Organization has declared H. pylori a Class 1 carcinogen."
To diagnose H. pylori, doctors have several tests at their disposal, including a blood antibody test, a stool antigen test or a carbon urea breath test. A biopsy check during endoscopy with a rapid urease test, histological examination and microbial culture was long considered the most reliable H. pylori test, though the tests do not carry full-proof specificity rates and can be influenced by drugs that give false negatives.
"We found that medication people take for stomach ulcers can oftentimes inhibit the bacteria or change its form, making tests give false positives," Dr. Tsang says. "For that reason, I developed a new test that can detect H. pylori no matter what medication a person is taking.
"Our test is much more sensitive and much more specific than standard tests. We can detect 30 percent more bacteria from people who tested negative on other tests."
Dr. Tsang began marketing the new, patented test in December and offering it in January. In that time, he says, he's seen a huge increase in demand for the test.
More than 50 percent of the world's population is infected with Helicobacter pylori in their upper gastrointestinal tract, though more than 80 percent of the infected individuals with the bacteria are asymptomatic, meaning they don't show any symptoms.
H. pylori infections are much more prevalent in developing countries while incidence of infection is decreasing in Western countries.
"Sanitation is not as good in developing countries and the cleaning process is not as good," Dr. Tat-kin Tsang, a top rated doctor of internal medicine in Chicago, says. "The bacteria is passed through feces and is very common in Hispanic, African-American, Asian and Middle Eastern people. These bacteria are ubiquitous in underdeveloped countries."
The bacteria, which can inhabit various areas of the stomach, can cause chronic, low-level inflammation of the stomach lining and has been linked to certain cancers.
"H. pylori can also be found in the heart, the brain and other areas of the body," Dr. Tsang says. "It has been indicated that H. pylori can cause stomach cancer and stomach lymphoma as well as stomach ulcers and gastritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach. My data also says that it can cause reflux and Barrett's esophagus, which is the precursor of esophageal cancer. The World Health Organization has declared H. pylori a Class 1 carcinogen."
To diagnose H. pylori, doctors have several tests at their disposal, including a blood antibody test, a stool antigen test or a carbon urea breath test. A biopsy check during endoscopy with a rapid urease test, histological examination and microbial culture was long considered the most reliable H. pylori test, though the tests do not carry full-proof specificity rates and can be influenced by drugs that give false negatives.
"We found that medication people take for stomach ulcers can oftentimes inhibit the bacteria or change its form, making tests give false positives," Dr. Tsang says. "For that reason, I developed a new test that can detect H. pylori no matter what medication a person is taking.
"Our test is much more sensitive and much more specific than standard tests. We can detect 30 percent more bacteria from people who tested negative on other tests."
Dr. Tsang began marketing the new, patented test in December and offering it in January. In that time, he says, he's seen a huge increase in demand for the test.
Dr. Tat-Kin Tsang of Gastroenterology Consultants of the North Shore was selected in 2010 by TopTierMD as a Chicago Top Doctor - He was named a Best Chicago Gastroenterologist specializing in Pancreaticobiliary disease / ERCP, Detection of H.pylori infection/ gastroscopy, MultiplexPCR, and Barrett's esophagus / gastroscopy. He practices in Wilmette, IL.
