Comparison between a new 13C-urea breath test, using a film-coated tablet, and the conventional 13C-urea breath test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background In Japan, urea breath-testing includes mouth rinsing with water immediately after the ingestion of 13C-urea solution, to prevent false-positive results that are caused by oral bacteria with urease activity. Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a urea breath test using a film-coated 13C-urea tablet and omitting mouth rinsing.