68 DIAGNOSIS OF CAMPYLOBACTER PYLORI GASTRITIS BY IgG ELISA

11 patients age range 8-15, median 13 years, presenting with abdominal pain were investigated for Campylobacter pylori (C pylori) associated gastritis by upper GI endoscopy and serum IgG antibodies to C pylori. Control sera were obtained from 9 patients aged 9-15, median 12 years, undergoing orthopaedic procedures. Antral biopsies were examined for chronic gastritis and stained for C pylori using a modified Giemsa stain. C pylori specific IgG antibodies were assayed by an indirect ELISA technique, using a soluble bacterial antigen preparation as antigen and the results expressed as optical density measurement. 4 patients with chronic gastritis were colonised with C pylori. Serum IgG mean optical density value was 172±35 for C pylori +ve patients and 30±16 for C pylori -ve patients. Control patients had a mean optical density value of 22.9±4, similar to C pylori -ve patients.