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The H pylori test price in Kenya ranges between KES 400 and KES 4800, depending on the facility, with public/ government hospitals proving to be cheaper.
This article explores the H pylori test price in Kenya and whether other forms of testing can be done and at what cost. We also discuss which test for H pylori (Helicobacter pylori) is most accurate.
The H pylori test, checks for the presence of helicobacter pylori antigen. Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that causes gastric and peptic ulcers and in severe cases, stomach cancer.
In Kenya, stool tests are the most common test done for H pylori and is available in almost all private and public hospitals. Stool tests check for antigens associated with H pylori antigen in stool.
The most common symptoms of H pylori infection include epigastric pain, bouts of diarrhea and vomiting, nausea, bloating, and loss of appetite. In some people, H pylori occurs as normal flora, and as such they may not exhibit symptoms of the bacteria.
H pylori is spread from person to person through eating contaminated food or drinking water and through mouth-to-mouth during kissing.
There are different tests for H pylori such as the urea breath test, rapid urease test, stool tests (antigen and PCR tests, culture and sensitivity), blood tests, and other advanced tests such as endoscopy, x-ray, and CT scan.
H pylori test price in Kenya across various hospitals and laboratories
Below are some laboratories across Kenya and the prices they charge:
- Cerba Lancet Africa Laboratories offers three tests for H pylori. They charge KES 2,949 for each serum antibody test for IgM and IgG and the stool antigen test they charge KES 3,149.
- In Kayole, the St. Patrick’s Healthcare Community Hospital offers the serum test for KES 600 and the stool test for KES 1,000
- Metropolis Star Lab Kenya, located in Parklands charges KES 3,200 for the stool H pylori test.
- Mediheal Group of hospitals, which has branches in Nairobi, Nakuru and Eldoret charges KES 4,000 for the H pylori stool test.
- Located in Westlands in Nairobi, Pathcare Kenya Limited laboratories charge KES 4,800 for the stool test. They have branches in major cities across the country.
- In Nakuru, Jalaram Diagnostics Center offers the stool test for KES 2,100. Also, the GTB ScanLab Center offers the test for KES 3,800
- Labora Diagnostics in Mombasa charges KES 3,120 for the test.
- Pathologists Lancet Kenya in Nairobi charges KES 4,056 for the stool test.
- Coast Provincial Teaching and Referral Hospital charges KES 600 for the stool antigen test.
- Most level 4, 5, and 6 hospitals across the country charge between KES 400 to KES 1,000 for the stool antigen test.
What is the most accurate test for H pylori?
As discussed earlier there are different tests for Helicobacter pylori, but in terms of accuracy, the test of choice will depend on individual circumstances.
- Endoscopy is the most accurate as it checks for the presence of ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori and the sample is collected directly from the ulcer, increasing the odds for accuracy. In hindsight, however, it is invasive, time-consuming, expensive, and not easily available in most hospitals
- The Urea breath test is non-invasive but is quite expensive and is not offered in many laboratories in Kenya.
- Serum blood tests for H pylori check for the presence of antibodies against H pylori. It is difficult to determine if the antibodies are against a previous infection that was undetected or a current infection.
- Other tests like X-ray and CT scans are expensive and not available in most laboratories. They only show the presence of ulcers and can’t definitively tell if they are H pylori-associated ulcers
The Takeaway
H pylori test checks for the presence of the Helicobacter pylori antigens. There are many forms of testing but the most common in Kenya is stool testing. The H pylori test price in Kenya costs between KES 400 to 4800. The most accurate form of testing for H pylori is endoscopy but it is invasive time consuming and expensive
