IgG+ but vacA/CagA-, Biopsy Negative?

[elea]

Is it worth doing a triple-treatment because of an IgG positive serology, despite a negative triple-biopsy and and 2 negative stool tests (vacA-/CagA-) results?

Or moreover, what is the likelihood of having H. Pylori-like symptoms from an H. Pylori strain that is vacA/CagA negative?


Details:

I just did an IgC blood test which tested positive and I've never been treated for H. Pylori before.

Caveat: And yet a month ago I had a gastroscopy and triple biopsy with a negative H. Pylori lab assay. Why I'm concerned is that I wasn't told to go off Omeprazole and had been on it during the 4 previous weeks and I've read that this could interfere with the results. Minimal duodenal, antral and corpus chemical reactive gastritis were confirmed, but no atrophy, erosion or herniation could be seen.

My main symptoms for 4 months resemble GERD & LPR: throat mucous, hoarseness, post-nasal drip, occasional night time nausea, rare heartburn, extreme fatigue, and extreme weight loss despite not being overweight at all. My diet is impeccable: no alcohol, NSAIDS, fried/fatty foods, caffeine, chocolate, grains, dairy or other typical GERD/LPR triggers. Regular blood tests, chest x-rays and an abdominal ultrasound suggest that everything is otherwise normal.

[Helico_expert]

I assumed you meant IgG. If you are infected with H. pylori, you'll have IgG against H. pylori. Even if you are treated with antibiotics and had H. pylori eradicated, IgG will remain positive for a few months to a few years.

Interestingly, you have never been treated for H. pylori and your biopsies and stools tests all showed negative results.

Therefore, I wonder if you have had any antibiotic treatments recently? or perhaps within a year?

Bottom line, since you have 3x negative biopsies and 2x negative stool tests, I would believe that your H. pylori had been mysteriously cured.

in regards to VacA and CagA negative strains, I think there are 50% CagA negative strains and in very rare cases, there are VacA cases. May I know where are you from? Did your specialist order bacterial culture from your biopsies?

[elea]

1. Here was the test kit:

The test results show that there are IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori in the tested blood. If these antibodies are detected this indicates that there is a high probability of an existing or recent infection with Heli-
cobacter pylori.

http://www.bodykind.com/pdf/HelicCHECK_5000.pdf


2. I'm in Germany but travel often to North America and the rest of Europe and Russia.

3. Yes, I had amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin in the summer for a bad ear infection.

4. The biopsies were handled by my German gastroenterologist's lab, so I don't know if they just looked under a microscope or did a PCR. I suppose I should ask.


Thank-you kindly for your feedback. I'm in awe of your dedication and perseverance over all these years. Much respect, admiration and appreciation for all your work.

[Helico_expert]

Interesting test kit to check for IgG.

Anyway, your treatment of Amox and Cipro explained how H. pylori is eradicated. Now that you're H. pylori free, hopefully the symptoms you are experiencing will slowly subside.

[elea]

Excellent!Thanks again.

I see I misread that and of course you're right, it is IgG.

[elea]

Update: On my gastroenterologist's advice, I slowly went of Ranitidine (150mg per day) 2 months ago. Since then I have heartburn and Globus all day, especially in the mornings before eating. It's getting worse every week!

Out of curiosity, I did another stool test VacA/GacA stool test and tested positive. So either I wasn't cured of it as was suggested here or I was re-infected.

Question: Could H. Pylori be causing the acid reflux and Globus? Should I go to a doctor and ask for a proper H. Pylori treatment?

[Helico_expert]

it is possible for H. pylori to cause acid reflux.

it is also interesting to see your stool test gives inconsistent result AND test for cagA and vacA.

not all H. pylori has cagA and probably not all express vacA either.

Anyway, since you still have the symptom and tested positive in stool test, you probably should go for a proper treatment.

[dioxnet]

these test ... home ... for H.pylori
that guarantees have .... it has given me my negative, talked to people who have H. pylori and
say I have same symptoms they had

I read one that said it had confirmed H. pylori, and took home test and was negative ...

I did one called prima home test
http://www.primahometest.com/helicobacter-pylori-test


and as we see, it is also the case of the post
sorry my english

[Helico_expert]

I think probably these home test kit is not sensitive enough. The best is to order a breath test.

[dioxnet]

next week, I'll do breath test (private doctor)
stool culture and look at other pathogens
I'm sick of thinking: (


muchas gracias!! siempre esta usted contesta