Patent attributes
A system and method for detecting bacterial infections in the gastrointestinal tract is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a first composition separated from a second composition. The first composition contains urea in powdered form. The second composition, on the other hand, contains an indicator. A biopsy of a gastric sample is first contacted with the first composition and then placed in the second composition. The second composition indicates the presence of an enzyme that, in turn, indicates the presence of bacteria. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a biopsy of a gastric sample is contacted with a single composition. The composition contains urea in a powdered form combined with a dry indicator. Besides urea and a dry indicator, the composition can also contain an anti-caking agent.