Immuno-chromatographic rapid assay in order to detect acid-resistant microorganisms in the stool

A method for detecting an infection of a mammal with an acid-resistant microorganism belonging to the genus Helicobacter, comprising:

• (a) provision of an immunochromatographic rapid test with a sample application area for the application of a stool sample of the mammal with an antigen and application of the stool sample,
• (b) incubation of the stool sample using (i) a first receptor under conditions permitting a complex formation of the antigen from the acid resistant microorganism with the receptor;
• or (ii) at least one of two different first receptors under conditions permitting a complex formation of the antigen from the acid-resistant microorganism with the at least one of two different first receptors and wherein the first receptor according to (i) or the at least one of two different first receptors according to (ii) specifically bind(s) to at least one epitope of an antigen which shows, at least with some mammals, a structure after passage through the intestine that corresponds to the native structure or the structure against which a mammal produces antibodies against after being infected or immunized with the acid-resistant microorganism or an extract or lysate thereof or a protein therefrom or a fragment thereof or a synthetic peptide,
• wherein said at least one epitope is an epitope of an antigen or antigens selected from the group consisting of a catalase, urease and metalloproteinase;
• and
• wherein at least one epitope of antigen or antigens specifically bind(s) to the heavy or light chain of the catalase or urease antibody having at least one of the CDRs:
• SEQ ID NOS:9, 10, 11, 21, 22, 23, 33–38, or SEQ ID NOS:15, 16, 17, 27, 28, 29, 45–50, respectively;
• and
• (c) provision of a second receptor immobilized at an analysis area, wherein the second receptor binds an antigen receptor complex according to (b), and transport and detection of the formation of at least one antigen receptor complex according to (b) by formation of the antigen-receptor complex at the second receptor in the analysis area.