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Study of the Esophageal String Test (EST) for the Diagnosis of Helicobacter Pylori

A Pilot Prospective Study of the Esophageal String Test (EST) for the Diagnosis of Helicobacter Pylori

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06871579
Enrollment
5
Registered
2025-03-12
Start date
2025-06-11
Completion date
2027-01-30
Last updated
2026-09-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Helicobacter Pylori

Keywords

Helicobacter Pylori, Antibiotic resistance, DIAGNOSTIC TEST

Brief summary

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that infects the lining of the stomach and intestines. It can cause peptic ulcers, cancers, and infections. Current methods of diagnosing H. pylori infections have limitations. Researchers want to test a new method of testing for H. pylori. Objective: To compare the esophageal string test (EST) to standard tests for detecting H. pylori infection. Eligibility: People aged 18 years or older with persistent H. pylori infection. Design: Participants will have 3 or 4 clinic visits over 2 to 4 months. Screening visit: Participants will have a physical exam. They will provide a stool sample. Baseline visit: Participants will have blood tests. Then they will have the EST: One end of a string will be taped to the outside of their cheek; the other end will be packed into a capsule. Participants will swallow the capsule, and the string will unwind down their throat into their stomach. The string will be left in for at least 1 hour. Then researchers will gently pull out the string. The fluids soaked into the string will be studied. Some participants will be prescribed antibiotics. Follow-up visit 1: Participants whose H. pylori infection was cured by the antibiotics may leave the study. Those who are still infected will have an endoscopy: A flexible tube will be inserted down the throat and into the stomach. It will take tissue samples from the stomach lining. These participants will then receive antibiotics again. Follow-up visit 2: The physical exam, blood test, and stool sample will be repeated. ...

Detailed description

Study Description: Adults with active Helicobacter pylori infection will undergo an esophageal string test (EST). The gastric portion of the string will be used for detection of H. pylori by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), as well as assessment of resistance genes to clarithromycin, levofloxacin, and metronidazole. Participants will be treated per current American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) guidelines. A stool antigen test for H. pylori will be performed 4 weeks after completion of therapy to assess cure. Participants who have failed \>=2 courses of therapy will undergo endoscopy with resistance testing per AGA recommendations. Patients will be offered antibiotic therapy based on the EST results and will have a repeat H. pylori stool antigen test 4 weeks after completion of therapy. Primary Objective: To assess the sensitivity of the gastric portion of the EST in detecting H. pylori infection. Secondary Objectives: To assess the ability of the gastric portion of the EST in detecting antimicrobial resistance to clarithromycin, levofloxacin, and metronidazole. Primary Endpoint: Proportion of the study population identified positive for H. pylori in EST eluates by PCR. Secondary Endpoint: Detection of H. pylori antibiotic resistance genes in EST eluates.

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTEnteroTracker(R) EST

The device consists of a gelatin-coated capsule with a collection string wrapped inside.

Sponsors

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Lead SponsorNIH

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 99 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* INCLUSION CRITERIA: In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: * Aged \>=18 years * Diagnosed with H. pylori infection (by endoscopy, stool antigen, or urea breath testing) * Agreement to adhere to lifestyle considerations throughout study duration * Ability of participant to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: * Pregnancy or lactation * Use of antibiotics with activity against H. pylori within 4 weeks of enrollment * Inability to swallow pills * Biopsy-proven high grade dysplastic Barrett s esophagus, active peptic ulcer disease, recent (within 4 weeks) upper GI bleed, and/or history of Zollinger Ellison syndrome or gastric bypass surgery

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of the study population identified positive for H. pylori in EST eluates by PCR.BaselineTo assess the sensitivity of the gastric portion of the EST in detecting H. pylori infection.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Detection of H. pylori antibiotic resistance genes in EST eluates.BaselineTo assess the ability of the gastric portion of the EST in detecting antimicrobial resistance to clarithromycin, levofloxacin, and metronidazole.

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAmy D Klion, M.D.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Sep 5, 2026