| urea breath test | A test for the presence of the bacteria helicobacter pylori that causes inflammation and ulcers in the stomach. The breath test is based on the ability of h. Pylori to break down urea. Ten minutes after swallowing a capsule containing urea with labelled carbon, a breath sample is collected to detect labelled carbon in the exhaled breath. A positive test indicates active infection. The test turns negative after eradication of the bacteria from the stomach with antibiotics. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| liver breath | A peculiar odour to the breath in persons with severe liver disease; caused by volatile aromatic substances that accumulate in the blood and urine due to defective hepatic metabolism. Synonym: liver breath. (05 Mar 2000) |