Peptest

Product Code: Pep25 (25 tests)
Product code: Pep50 (50 tests)

Diagnose extraoesophageal reflux with peptest

Peptest is a state-of-the-art diagnostic tool that offers a non-invasive approach to identifying reflux, particularly in the case of extraoesophageal and silent reflux. Using innovative quantitative lateral flow technology, Peptest can detect the presence of pepsin in clinical samples from the upper digestive and respiratory tracts, providing a reliable and accurate measure of the degree of reflux.

The benefits of Peptest extend beyond identifying reflux alone, it can also be used to help optimise and evaluate response to treatment and evaluate the underlying causes of symptoms. Peptest could therefore assist healthcare professionals in developing effective and tailored care and treatment plans to improve patients’ health outcomes.

Key Advantages

Simple sample collection followed by a rapid 15-minute test, enabling fast and appropriate treatment
Non-invasive and alternative first line test for gastroesophageal reflux disease and silent reflux
Differential diagnosis in patients with non-specific symptoms
Compatible with a wide range of samples, e.g. saliva, sputum, tracheal aspirate, oesophageal aspiration, gastric juice, exhaled air condensate and bronchoalveolar fluid
Results can be quantified using the Pepcube Reader and data reduction software so that they can be viewed in the lab, clinic or GP practice
Beneficial to gastroenterology, ENT and respiratory specialists

Specifications

Lateral flow test

50 tests

Storage: 15-25 °C

Saliva sample

More Details

How does Peptest work?

Peptest analyses clinical samples, such as saliva or sputum, for the presence of pepsin. Pepsin is a stomach enzyme and because it is only produced in the stomach, if found in the oesophagus, throat, mouth or respiratory tract, it is indicative of retrograde reflux episodes. The severity of reflux can be determined based on the concentrations of pepsin found. 

Peptest utilises a double monoclonal antibody capture technique incorporated into a lateral flow device. The results of the test are quantified using a small lateral-flow-reader that can be used in the lab, clinic, or GP practice. By measuring pepsin levels, clinicians are able to provide the best and most appropriate treatment for each patient. 

The Peptest is capable of identifying and quantifying Pepsin across a diverse array of clinical samples, including but not limited to saliva, sputum, oesophageal aspiration, gastric juice, and bronchoalveolar fluid. This test has applications in various fields of medicine too such as gastroenterology, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and respiratory medicine. 

The field of gastroenterology utilises this diagnostic tool to aid in identifying and guiding treatment for patients who are experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

In the context of Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) medicine, Peptest can assist in the clinical evaluation of Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), also known as “Silent Reflux,” in patients experiencing symptoms such as persistent coughs, voice problems, sore throats, or a feeling of a lump in their throat. This diagnostic tool can be valuable for ENT specialists in aiding their investigations and ultimately aiding in the diagnosis of LPR.

Finally, Peptest is a diagnostic tool that can be used in respiratory medicine to investigate non-acid reflux in patients with respiratory conditions. Chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma are often linked to non-acid reflux, which is one of the most common causes. Peptest provides a measurable and unbiased assessment of pepsin levels, assisting in the identification of the underlying cause.

 

Diagnose a range of conditions

Peptest offers an objective measurement of pepsin in clinical samples obtained from the upper gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, which serves as an essential marker for reflux. This measurement provides valuable diagnostic information, enabling healthcare professionals to make accurate and effective treatment decisions in sometimes difficult cases. Peptest can be used to diagnose and direct treatment for a wide range of conditions, including Gastroesophageal reflux (GORD), laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), chronic cough, cystic fibrosis, post-lung transplant rejection, asthma, and sinusitis. By identifying these conditions early, healthcare professionals can prevent further complications, such as the development of long-term health problems and a poor quality of life for the patient.

Untreated gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or laryngopharangeal reflux disease can lead to chronic conditions and unpleasant symptoms, including heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and voice problems. If left untreated, prolonged exposure of oesophageal and laryngeal tissues to pepsin can cause further complications, such as esophagitis, ulcers, and even cancer. A fast and accurate diagnosis of reflux can result in patients getting the right treatment at the right time, averting further long-term health problems. By using Peptest as a tool to help accurately diagnose reflux, healthcare professionals can ensure that patients receive the appropriate care and improve the outcomes of their clinical investigations.

 

What are the benefits of Peptest?

Peptest offers an objective measurement of pepsin as a reliable marker for reflux, which is indicated in a number of diseases. Its simple sample collection process is followed by a rapid and straightforward test that delivers accurate results. As a non-invasive and alternative first line test, Peptest is highly beneficial in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as Gastroesophageal reflux disease and Extraoesophageal reflux for medical professionals in several specialties including Gastroenterology, Ear, Nose, and Throat and Respiratory medicine. With quick turnaround times, Peptest facilitates fast and efficient treatment plans for patients. By identifying reflux diseases promptly, medical professionals can develop and implement appropriate treatment plans, enhancing patients’ quality of life.

Peptest FAQs

What is gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common condition that affects the digestive system. It occurs when stomach acid and other contents of the stomach flow back up into the oesophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms. GORD is a chronic form of acid reflux and can cause symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and a sour taste in the mouth.

If left untreated, reflux can cause serious complications such as inflammation of the oesophagus (oesophagitis), scarring and narrowing of the oesophagus (strictures), and precancerous changes to the lining of the oesophagus (Barrett’s oesophagus). GORD can also increase the risk of developing asthma and sleep apnoea.

What is Peptest?

Peptest is a non-invasive diagnostic test to help identify reflux. It is a quick, quantitative lateral flow test which can detect the presence of pepsin in clinical samples.

What is Pepsin?

Pepsin is an enzyme that helps us digest food. It works alongside gastric acid to break down proteins so that they can be used by the body. Pepsin is produced by the stomach when proteins stimulate its production. Protein intake stimulates the secretion of Gastrin which in turn stimulates the production of acid and pepsin’s zymogen, pepsinogen. Gastric chief cells secrete pepsinogen and in the presence of hydrochloric acid pepsinogen is cleaved to form active pepsin. This enzyme then helps to break down large proteins into smaller peptides, which are then easier for the body to use. Pepsin is therefore an essential enzyme for digestion. 

 

Pepsin is most active under very acidic conditions however it retains some of its activity up to pH8. This has significant implications in the context of reflux where it remains active, or could be reactivated by refluxed acid, in parts of the digestive and respiratory tract that have a higher pH. Accordingly, pepsin is a leading aggressive agent responsible for damage to oesophageal and laryngeal tissue. When pepsin reaches areas outside the stomach is a highly predictive marker of gastroesophageal, and extraoesophageal reflux disease.

Why detect Pepsin?

Identifying pepsin outside of the stomach allows clinical diagnosis of reflux in patients suffering from atypical symptoms. Long term exposure to tissues can have damaging effects and so it is important to not only diagnose reflux, but also to identify the presence of pepsin so that appropriate treatment can be selected. Detecting pepsin in saliva samples helps clinicians to pinpoint the cause of complex query reflux in patients. Whereas often traditional subjective clinical indices (such as the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and Reflux Finding Score (RFS)) are inconclusive. Read more here on why this is important.

Why use Peptest?

Peptest is a simple lateral flow test that measures pepsin in clinical samples of the upper gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. It has been shown to be an excellent biomarker for detecting airway reflux and LPR, with an overall sensitivity of 76.4 %. Traditional tests for reflux are invasive, time-consuming, resource-heavy, and costly but Peptest offers an accurate, painless, and inexpensive option. The test clearly indicates the presence of pepsin to differentiate between GORD, LPR and other conditions. Read more here on why you should use a non-invasive test. 

Are pepsin tests Accurate?

Peptest has been shown to be an excellent biomarker for detecting airway reflux and LPR, with an overall sensitivity of 76.4 %. And because Peptest provides a quantitative measurement of pepsin in the sample, there is also potential for its use in monitoring treatment efficacy.


Related Products

    PepCube Peptest reader

    The PepCube is a portable, handheld and easy-to-use lateral flow device that enables the fast quantification of pepsin in saliva samples using Peptest. Each read takes just three seconds and can be used to evaluate the results either qualitatively or quantitatively. Results are displayed on the screen and reported in ng/ml.​

    Sample collection tubes for Peptest

    Sample collection tubes for saliva samples