The substance ingested during certain diagnostic procedures for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is typically a flavored urea solution. This solution is designed to facilitate the detection of the bacterium through a breath test. The specific flavor and formulation may vary depending on the manufacturer of the test kit, but it serves primarily as a substrate for the H. pylori enzyme urease.
The purpose of ingesting this solution is to provide a carbon source that, if H. pylori is present in the stomach, will be broken down by the bacterial urease enzyme. This enzymatic reaction produces ammonia and carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide produced is then absorbed into the bloodstream and exhaled, where it can be measured to determine the presence and activity of H. pylori. This method offers a non-invasive alternative to endoscopy for detecting the infection.
