Study of the Esophageal String Test (EST) for the Diagnosis of Helicobacter Pylori

Description

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that infects the lining of the stomach and intestines. It can cause peptic ulcers, cancers, and infections. Current methods of diagnosing H. pylori infections have limitations. Researchers want to test a new method of testing for H. pylori. Objective: To compare the esophageal string test (EST) to standard tests for detecting H. pylori infection. Eligibility: People aged 18 years or older with persistent H. pylori infection. Design: Participants will have 3 or 4 clinic visits over 2 to 4 months. Screening visit: Participants will have a physical exam. They will provide a stool sample. Baseline visit: Participants will have blood tests. Then they will have the EST: One end of a string will be taped to the outside of their cheek; the other end will be packed into a capsule. Participants will swallow the capsule, and the string will unwind down their throat into their stomach. The string will be left in for at least 1 hour. Then researchers will gently pull out the string. The fluids soaked into the string will be studied. Some participants will be prescribed antibiotics. Follow-up visit 1: Participants whose H. pylori infection was cured by the antibiotics may leave the study. Those who are still infected will have an endoscopy: A flexible tube will be inserted down the throat and into the stomach. It will take tissue samples from the stomach lining. These participants will then receive antibiotics again. Follow-up visit 2: The physical exam, blood test, and stool sample will be repeated. ...

Conditions

Helicobacter Pylori

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that infects the lining of the stomach and intestines. It can cause peptic ulcers, cancers, and infections. Current methods of diagnosing H. pylori infections have limitations. Researchers want to test a new method of testing for H. pylori. Objective: To compare the esophageal string test (EST) to standard tests for detecting H. pylori infection. Eligibility: People aged 18 years or older with persistent H. pylori infection. Design: Participants will have 3 or 4 clinic visits over 2 to 4 months. Screening visit: Participants will have a physical exam. They will provide a stool sample. Baseline visit: Participants will have blood tests. Then they will have the EST: One end of a string will be taped to the outside of their cheek; the other end will be packed into a capsule. Participants will swallow the capsule, and the string will unwind down their throat into their stomach. The string will be left in for at least 1 hour. Then researchers will gently pull out the string. The fluids soaked into the string will be studied. Some participants will be prescribed antibiotics. Follow-up visit 1: Participants whose H. pylori infection was cured by the antibiotics may leave the study. Those who are still infected will have an endoscopy: A flexible tube will be inserted down the throat and into the stomach. It will take tissue samples from the stomach lining. These participants will then receive antibiotics again. Follow-up visit 2: The physical exam, blood test, and stool sample will be repeated. ...

A Pilot Prospective Study of the Esophageal String Test (EST) for the Diagnosis of Helicobacter Pylori

Study of the Esophageal String Test (EST) for the Diagnosis of Helicobacter Pylori

Condition
Helicobacter Pylori
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Bethesda

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Aged \>=18 years
  • * Diagnosed with persistent H. pylori infection (by endoscopy, stool antigen, or urea breath testing) after at least one course of antimicrobial therapy
  • * Agreement to adhere to lifestyle considerations throughout study duration
  • * Ability of participant to provide informed consent
  • * Pregnancy or lactation
  • * Use of antibiotics with activity against H. pylori within 4 weeks of enrollment
  • * Anaphylaxis to amoxicillin, tetracycline, clarithromycin, metronidazole, or levofloxacin
  • * Inability to swallow pills
  • * Biopsy-proven high grade dysplastic Barrett s esophagus, active peptic ulcer disease, recent (within 4 weeks) upper GI bleed, and/or history of Zollinger Ellison syndrome or gastric bypass surgery

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 99 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID),

Amy D Klion, M.D., PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Study Record Dates

2026-03-30