Quidel Corp. will begin marketing a rapid immunoassay test todetect antibodies to Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium thatcauses chronic stomach upset and has been associated withrecurrent ulcers. San Diego-based Quidel said Tuesday that thetest, which uses a small blood sample, is the first in vitroimmunoassay for H. pylori approved by the Food and DrugAdministration. Existing methods include either culturesderived from stomach biopsies or a breath test after patientsdrink urea labeled with carbon 14.

Quidel stock (NASDAQ:QDEL) closed Wednesday at $5, down 13cents.

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