The invention provides a breath testing device which visually indicates
the presence of ammonia in a patient's breath, in particular ammonia from
helicobacter pylori urease infection. The breath testing device comprises
a visual indicating agent which changes color in response to ammonia
odors, such as 4,4'-bis(dimethylamino)-benzhydrol (Michler's hydrol or
BDMB), pararosaniline base and alpha-naphtholbenzein. The indicating
agent is applied to a substrate which is then inserted into a tube or
straw, which can be attached to the inlet of a breath collection balloon.
When the patient blows into the tube or straw, the indicating agent will
change color if it detects levels of ammonia which are consistent with
helicobacter pylori urease infection.