Urea Breath Test

The urea breath test (UBT) is a noninvasive test utilizing ¹³C urea to detect the prescence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the gut. H. pylori is a spiral bacterium that can cause gastritis, gastric ulcers, and peptic ulcers. It affects more than 50% of the global population and is one of the most prevalent chronic bacterial infections. The test can be used to aid the diagnosis of H. pylori infection or to assess the impact of a therapeutic intervention, when administered more than a month after treatment completion. H. pylori has the ability to convert urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide, so by administering a patient with ¹³C urea and then analyzing exhaled ¹³C carbon dioxide using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), the presence of the bacteria can be determined. CIL is proud to manufacture and supply the most critical reagent for this test, ¹³C urea (cGMP), to hospitals and laboratories around the world. As the global demand for the UBT continues to grow, the need for additional ¹³C urea does as well. CIL is currently undergoing a large expansion of ¹³C production to prepare for future needs of this key reagent. If you are in need of a reliable commercial partner for your UBT developments, please inquire.

Clinical Research Substrates

Frequently Asked Question

Does CIL offer different grades of ¹³C urea? Yes, CIL offers cGMP and research grades of ¹³C urea.

Best, L.M.; Takwoingi, Y.; Siddique, S.; et al. 2018. Non-invasive diagnostic tests for Helicobacter pyloriinfection. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 3(3), CD012080. PMID: 29543326
Gisbert, J.P.; Pajares, J.M. 2014. ¹³C-urea breath test in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection – A critical review. Aliment Pharmacol Ther,  20(10), 1001-1017. PMID: 15569102
Savarino, V.; Vigneri, S.; Celle, G. 1999. The ¹³C urea beath test in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. Gut, 45 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), I18-22.  PMID: 10457031

Example Article that Features CIL’s ¹³C Urea

Janjetic, M.A.; Mantero, P.; Cueto Rua, E.; et al. 2015. Dietary and anthropometric indicators of nutritional status in relation to Helicobacter pylori infection in a paediatric population. Br J Nutr,  113(7), 1113-1119.  PMID: 25761510