Question:
The urea breath test is used for diagnosis of infection by which organism?
The urea breath test is used for diagnosis of infection by which organism?
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Which urease-positive bacterium colonises the stomach and causes peptic ulcers?
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Helicobacter pylori
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Escherichia coli
- Lactobacillus
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: The urea breath test is a rapid, non-invasive diagnostic procedure used to detect Helicobacter pylori, a spiral bacterium implicated in gastritis, gastric ulcer, and peptic ulcer disease.
Step 2: The test works because H. pylori produces the enzyme urease, which converts ingested labelled urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. The labelled CO2 is then detected in the patient's exhaled breath, confirming the infection. This makes option (a) correct.
Step 3: Why not the others - Campylobacter jejuni causes enteritis, E. coli and Lactobacillus are not diagnosed by the urea breath test and do not produce the relevant gastric urease activity used here.
Step 4: Hence the urea breath test is used to diagnose H. pylori.
Step 2: The test works because H. pylori produces the enzyme urease, which converts ingested labelled urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. The labelled CO2 is then detected in the patient's exhaled breath, confirming the infection. This makes option (a) correct.
Step 3: Why not the others - Campylobacter jejuni causes enteritis, E. coli and Lactobacillus are not diagnosed by the urea breath test and do not produce the relevant gastric urease activity used here.
Step 4: Hence the urea breath test is used to diagnose H. pylori.
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