Comparison of four serological tests to determine the CagA or VacA status of Helicobacter pylori strains

Abstract

We compared four tests for antibodies to CagA or VacA, HelicoBlot 2.0, RIDA Blot Helicobacter, CHIRON RIBA H. pylori SIA, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using recombinant CagA. Immunoblot assays were accurate for determining Helicobacter pylori status but poor for determining CagA or VacA status (accuracy, 66 to 80% for CagA status and 34 to 67% for VacA status). None can be recommended for determining CagA or VacA status.