Urea Breath Test

The Urea Breath Test is a rapid diagnostic procedure used to identify infections with Helicobacter pylori, a spiral bacteria implicated in gastritis[?], gastric ulcer and peptic ulcer disease. Patients swallow urea labeled with an isotope, either Carbon 14 or Carbon 13. In the subsequent 10-30 minutes, the detection of isotope-labeled CO2 in the breath indicates that the urea was split, i.e. urease (the enzyme H. pylori uses to metabolize urea) and H. pylori were present in the stomach.