LAFAYETTE, Colo., June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Meretek Diagnostics, Inc. is exhibiting its BreathTek(TM) UBT (urea breath test) kit at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (http://www.asbs.org/). The conference is being held at the San Diego Convention Center June 13 - 15 in San Diego, Calif.
BreathTek UBT is the only breath test available that is FDA cleared to test for both initial diagnosis and post-treatment monitoring of H. pylori infection in adults, an important pathogen in the upper GI tract of humans. The relationship between H. pylori and chronic active gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and gastric ulcer is well documented. Meretek Diagnostics will be exhibiting the test in booth 208.
Overall, about one in three adults in the U.S. is infected with H. pylori.(1)
BreathTek UBT is intended for use in adult patients. The performance characteristics for persons under the age of eighteen (18) have not been established for this test.
The BreathTek UBT should not be used until four (4) weeks or more after the end of treatment for the eradication of H. pylori as earlier post-treatment assessment may give false negative results.
The BreathTek UBT is for administration by health care professionals. It is to be administered under a physician's supervision.
The test is simple, non-radioactive, and non-invasive. BreathTek UBT is 95 percent (95%) sensitive and specific, and can also be used to confirm eradication 4 weeks following completion of treatment.(2)
For complete information about the BreathTek UBT, see the package insert at: http://www.meretek.com/downloads/2215NOV05_cropped.pdf
(1) Graham KS, Graham DY. Contemporary Diagnosis and Management of
H. pylori-Associated Gastrointestinal Diseases. Newtown, PA: Handbooks
in Health Care Co; 2002.
(2) BreathTekTM UBT package insert. Lafayette, CO: Meretek Diagnostics;
2006.
About ASBS
The ASBS is a non-profit organization that works to advance the art and science of bariatric surgery and is committed to educating medical professionals and the public about bariatric surgery as an option for the treatment of morbid obesity, as well as the associated risks and benefits. It encourages its members to investigate and discover new advances in bariatric surgery, while maintaining a steady exchange of experiences and ideas that may lead to improved surgical outcomes for morbidly obese patients. For more information about the ASBS, visit http://www.asbs.org/.
About Meretek Diagnostics
Located in Lafayette, Colo., Meretek Diagnostics, Inc. is an Otsuka Group company. Meretek was founded in 1993 by a group from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. The company holds exclusive licenses to patents involving the 13C urea breath test technologies.
For more information about Meretek Diagnostics, Inc. and the company's products, including prescribing information, warnings and limitations, visit the Meretek Web site at http://www.meretek.com/.
Meretek Diagnostics, Inc.
CONTACT: Dan Snyders, Vice President, PR Supervisor, of Armada Medical
Marketing, +1-303-623-1190, ext. 230, dan@armadamedical.com, for Meretek
Diagnostics, Inc.
Web site: http://www.meretek.com/
http://www.asbs.org/
