Urea Breath Test

The Urea Breath Test is a rapid diagnostic procedure used to identify infections with Helicobacter pylori, a spiral bacteria implicated in gastritis, gastric ulcer and peptic ulcer disease. Patients swallow urea labeled with an isotope, either Carbon 14 or Carbon 13. In the subsequent 10-30 minutes, the detection of isotope-labeled CO₂ in the breath indicates that the urea was split; i.e. urease (the enzyme that H. pylori uses to metabolize urea) is present in the stomach, and hence that H. pylori bacteria are present.