Pranactin Citric

Generic name: urea c-13
Dosage form: powder, for solution

Introduction and Test Instructions

Note: This “Introduction and Test Instructions” contains information for:

I. Intended Use

The BreathTek™ UBT Collection Kit is intended for use in the qualitative detection of urease associated with Helicobacter pylori in the human stomach and as an aid in the initial diagnosis and post-treatment monitoring of Helicobacter pylori infection in adult patients. The test may be used for monitoring treatment if used at least four (4) weeks following completion of therapy. For these purposes, the system utilizes an Infrared Spectrophotometer for the measurement of the ratio of 13CO2 to 12CO2 in breath samples.

For administration by health care professionals. To be administered under a physician’s supervision.

II. Summary and Explanation

Since the isolation of the spiral urease-producing Helicobacter pylori bacteria (H. pylori) in 1983 by Drs. Marshall and Warren1, a significant body of evidence has accumulated indicating that the bacteria is an important pathogen in the upper GI tract of humans.2.3 The causal relationship between H. pylori and chronic active gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and gastric ulcer is well documented.4.5 Methods available for detecting current infection of the human stomach by H. pylori are generally divided into two (2) general types: Invasive and Non-invasive.

Invasive methods are so named because they include, as a first step, an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (“EGD”) with collection of gastric biopsies. These biopsies are then examined by one or more detection methods: histological examination of stained tissue, microbiological culture of the organism, or direct detection of urease activity in the tissue (for example, the CLOtest®). Biopsy based methods are expensive, entail some patient risk and discomfort and may give false negative results due to sampling errors when colonization of the gastric mucosa is patchy.6

The non-invasive, non-radioactive method for detecting current H. pylori infection is based on the BreathTek™ UBT which is described in the next section. Several serological tests that detect serum antibodies to H. pylori are commercially available. A positive result with these tests cannot distinguish between current infection and past exposure to infection and, therefore, is not a conclusive indicator of current gastrointes..