CPT® Code 87338

Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay technique, (eg, enzyme immunoassay [EIA], enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], fluorescence immunoassay [FIA], immunochemiluminometric assay [IMCA]) qualitative or semiquantitative; Helicobacter pylori, stool

The CPT® Code 87338 refers to a laboratory test designed to detect the presence of antigens associated with Helicobacter pylori in a stool sample. This test employs various immunoassay techniques, including enzyme immunoassay (EIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fluorescence immunoassay (FIA), and immunochemiluminometric assay (IMCA). Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative rod bacterium that colonizes the lining of the stomach and/or duodenum, and it is known to be a significant factor in the development of several gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, and potentially low-grade gastric lymphoma. The transmission of H. pylori occurs primarily through person-to-person contact or through ingestion of contaminated food and water. Patients infected with this bacterium may experience a range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss. To perform the test, a fecal sample or another type of specimen is collected and either placed in a fixative or sent fresh to the laboratory for analysis. The immunoassay techniques utilized in this test are capable of detecting very small amounts of the H. pylori antigen by binding it to specific antibodies. The presence of the antigen is then indicated through a chromogenic reaction, which produces a visible color change or fluorescence, allowing for qualitative or semi-quantitative assessment of the antigen levels in the sample.