Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) has formulated a radiopharmaceutical based on 14C Urea for confirmation of diagnosis of H. Pylori bacterial infection of stomach. The infection is prevalent in the country and leads to ulcers and acidity in the stomach. Often the disease is misdiagnosed and the patient is treated for acidity and related complications. Thus, prior to the treatment, confirmation of diagnosis is a mandatory requirement, said the sources in BRIT.

“As a confirmatory test for H. Pylori infection, BRIT has formulated 14 C Urea breath test. The Pylori bacterium produces an enzyme known as urease. Thus, detection of urease in the stomach confirms the infection. We have created a radiopharmaceutical based on 14C urea. It is a capsule containing high specific active low dose, containing 14C urea as a main ingredient. Once the disease is confirmed, combination of antibiotics can be used for treating it, informed the sources.

The capsule is administrated orally. The urease produced by the bacterium will act on the 14C Urea and will produce the carbondioxide. The breath containing the radioactive carbondioxide is absorbed in alkaline solution and measured for radioactivity of 14C. The presence of radioactivity in the breath confirms the infection. The test is also an effective method to check for eradication of infection after therapy.