Helicobacter Pylori IgM

A positive IgM against Helicobacter pylori indicates an early immune response and suggests recent or new exposure. IgM tests for H. pylori are less reliable and may not definitively prove active stomach infection. Confirmation usually requires a stool antigen test, urea breath test, or endoscopic biopsy. Discuss results with your clinician for appropriate follow-up and treatment.

A positive Helicobacter pylori test means stomach infection by H. pylori bacteria. Many people are asymptomatic. It commonly causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers and symptoms like upper abdominal pain, bloating, nausea or indigestion. Untreated, it raises risk of gastric atrophy, intestinal metaplasia and rarely gastric cancer or MALT lymphoma. Diagnosis uses breath, stool, blood or biopsy tests; treatment is antibiotic-based eradication with a proton pump inhibitor and follow-up.

The H. pylori IgM blood test is a serologic immunoassay (often ELISA) that detects IgM antibodies to Helicobacter pylori in a venous blood sample. IgM suggests recent or acute infection, but serology has limited sensitivity and specificity; IgG is more commonly used. Positive IgM should be interpreted with caution and usually confirmed with a urea breath test or stool antigen test for active infection.

In pregnancy H. pylori eradication is usually deferred until after delivery unless there’s active peptic ulcer disease or severe symptoms. Manage symptoms with antacids and a proton‑pump inhibitor. If eradication is necessary, clinicians prefer amoxicillin plus a PPI; avoid tetracyclines and generally avoid clarithromycin. Metronidazole may be considered after the first trimester. Discuss treatment with your obstetrician.

After successful eradication, noninvasive tests (urea breath test or stool antigen) usually become negative about 4 weeks after finishing antibiotics; stop proton‑pump inhibitors at least 2 weeks before testing to avoid false negatives. By contrast, blood antibody tests can remain positive for many months to years after cure and aren’t reliable for confirming eradication. Discuss retesting timing with your clinician.

If H. pylori is left untreated it can cause chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers (stomach and duodenal), leading to pain, bleeding, perforation or obstruction. Long-term infection raises the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma and MALT lymphoma. Ongoing symptoms include dyspepsia, nausea, bloating and iron-deficiency anemia. Early diagnosis and eradication reduce complications.