Efficacy and safety of high-dose esomeprazole-amoxicillin dual therapy for Helicobacter pylori rescue treatment: a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial

The Comparison of the Clinical Efficacy and Drug Tissue Distribution of Furazolidone and Tetracycline-quadruple Therapy in Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) is considered a main causative organism of gastric ulcers, gastric cancer and duodenal ulcers. The current treatment relies on a combination of antimicrobial agents and acid suppressant agents, but the eradication effect is not satisfactory. To clarify the concentration of antibiotics at the lesion site, we investigate the clinical efficacy and drug tissue distribution of the combination therapy of furazolidone and tetracycline in eradicating H. Pylori.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with H. pylori infection (n = 60) were randomized to either group A or B. Bismuth potassium citrate capsules 220 mg, omeprazole enteric-coated capsules 20 mg, amoxicillin capsules 1000 mg, each twice per day, and furazolidone tablets 500 mg were administered to group A. Group B was treated with bismuth potassium citrate capsules 220 mg, omeprazole enteric-coated capsules 20 mg, amoxicillin capsules 1000 mg, and tetracycline tablets 500 mg each twice per day for 2 weeks. The serum and gastric juice, gastric antrum, gastric horn, and gastric body samples were taken under a gastroscope on the 14th day. The antimicrobial concentrations in serum and tissue samples were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

In the negative group of furazolidone, the concentrations of gastric antrum, gastric body, and gastric angle were significantly higher than those in the positive group (P = 0.017, 0.015, and 0.028). The concentrations of furazolidone in gastric fluid, gastric antrum, gastric angle, and gastric body were ∼421 times, 82 times, 17 times, and 51 times higher than those in serum, respectively. The concentrations of tetracycline in the serum and gastric angle of the tetracycline negative group were significantly higher than those in the positive group (P = 0.036 and 0.042), and the tetracycline concentrations in the gastric horn and gastric body were about 4 and 6 times higher than those in the serum, respectively. The concentration of amoxicillin in group B was higher than that in group A, especially in serum, gastric juice, gastric angle, and gastric body (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Furazolidone is mainly concentrated and sequentially distributed in gastric juice, gastric antrum, and gastric body tissue, and tetracycline is mainly distributed in serum, gastric angle, and gastric body, whereas amoxicillin is mainly distributed in serum, gastric juice, gastric angle, and gastric body. Improving the concentration and tissue distribution of antibacterial drugs in the human gastric mucosa is the key to ensuring the ideal eradication rate of quadruple therapy.

Real-World Situation of Eradication Regimens and Risk Factors for Helicobacter pylori Treatment in China: A Retrospective Single-Center Study

Background and Objectives

The success rate of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication in China is declining. The aim of this study was to evaluate eradication outcomes in clinical practice and identifies factors contributing to treatment failure.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted on patients treated for H. pylori infection with 14-day bismuth-containing quadruple therapy at a Beijing medical center from January 2020 to December 2023. We analyzed demographic and clinical data, eradication rates across regimens, and performed multivariate analysis to pinpoint predictors of failure.

Results

Out of 3340 participants, 2273 (68.1%) achieved eradication. Amoxicillin-based combinations (69.2%) outperformed other antibiotic regimens (58.9%, p < 0.001), with amoxicillin plus doxycycline reaching a 71.4% success rate. Esomeprazole-based regimens were more effective (73.6%) than other PPI regimens (65.2%, p = 0.001), notably, a rabeprazole, amoxicillin, doxycycline, and bismuth combination had an 80.0% success rate. Age, gender, and smoking and drinking were significant eradication failure predictors.

Conclusion

In real-world settings, 14-day amoxicillin and esomeprazole-based quadruple regimens have been demonstrated to be more effective than other regimens. Age, gender, and lifestyle habits are identified as independent risk factors for eradication failure.

Registration

This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 08/01/2024 (clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR2400079647).

Novel therapeutic regimens against Helicobacter pylori: an updated systematic review

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a strict microaerophilic bacterial species that exists in the stomach, and H. pylori infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections affecting humans. Eradicating H. pylori is the preferred method for the long-term prevention of complications such as chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and gastric cancer. However, first-line treatment with triple therapy and quadruple therapy has been unable to cope with increasing antibacterial resistance. To provide an updated review of H. pylori infections and antibacterial resistance, as well as related treatment options, we searched PubMed for articles published until March 2024. The key search terms were "H. pylori", "H. pylori infection", "H. pylori diseases", "H. pylori eradication", and "H. pylori antibacterial resistance." Despite the use of antimicrobial agents, the annual decline in the eradication rate of H. pylori continues. Emerging eradication therapies, such as the development of the new strong acid blocker vonoprazan, probiotic adjuvant therapy, and H. pylori vaccine therapy, are exciting. However, the effectiveness of these treatments needs to be further evaluated. It is worth mentioning that the idea of altering the oxygen environment in gastric juice for H. pylori to not be able to survive is a hot topic that should be considered in new eradication plans. Various strategies for eradicating H. pylori, including antibacterials, vaccines, probiotics, and biomaterials, are continuously evolving. A novel approach involving the alteration of the oxygen concentration within the growth environment of H. pylori has emerged as a promising eradication strategy.

Safety profile of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatments: literature review and updated data of the European Registry on Helicobacter pylori management (Hp-EuReg)

INTRODUCTION

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the most prevalent chronic infection globally, is the major cause of relevant diseases such as gastric cancer, leading to high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Several studies have focused on optimize H. pylori eradication treatment through combination therapies and antibiotic resistance. However, the adverse events profile and its impact, as a primary outcome, remains underexplored.The aim of this review was to summarize the available data on the safety of the most common regimens for H. pylori eradication and its impact on the compliance.

AREAS COVERED

This review encompassed the published evidence from the years 2008 to 2023 regarding both the safety and compliance for most common H. pylori eradication regimens. The main sources for this review comprised MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane electronic databases. Furthermore, it included a safety analysis of unpublished data from the European Registry on H. pylori management (Hp-EuReg).

EXPERT OPINION

Poor compliance is correlated with significantly lower cure rates, and this is a unique modifiable source of H. pylori treatment failure. Eradication treatments have become complex, involving multiple drugs and dosing intervals. Thus, patient education is crucial; doctors must explain to the patient about potential temporary and most often harmless side effects.

The efficacy and safety of vonoprazan in quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a comparative study

Background

The efficacy and optimal dose of the new acid-suppressant vonoprazan (VPZ) for quadruple therapy remain uncertain. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of 20 mg VPZ daily (VOD) and 20 mg VPZ twice daily (VTD) with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) twice daily in quadruple therapy.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 954 patients treated with quadruple therapy to eradicate Helicobacter pylori. Eradication rates and adverse events were compared between the VOD and VTD groups, and between the VOD and PPI groups. Multivariate analysis was conducted to identify the predictors of eradication failure.

Results

Eradication was successful in 875 (91.7%) of the 954 patients. The total, initial, and rescue eradication rates in the VOD group were 92.1%, 93.3%, and 77.8%, respectively. In both the crude and multivariate analyses, the VOD group showed eradication rates comparable to those of the VTD and PPI groups (all P > 0.05). Age > 60 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.165, P = 0.012) and use of rescue therapy (OR = 3.496, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for eradication failure, whereas VPZ at a low dosing frequency of 20 mg daily was not. A total of 787 patients (82.5%) were followed up (mean follow-up time, 6.7 ± 2.0 months). Compared with the VOD group, the VTD group was more likely to experience adverse events (OR = 2.073, P = 0.035).

Conclusion

VPZ at a low dose of 20 mg daily is an effective and safe component of the quadruple therapy for H.pylori eradication.

Pharmacokinetic and Safety Study of Bismuth Potassium Citrate Formulations in Healthy Subjects

BACKGROUND

Potassium bismuth citrate is a gastric mucosal protector and a key drug for treating peptic ulcers.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the pharmacokinetic characteristics and safety of 120-mg bismuth potassium citrate formulations administered orally under fasting conditions in healthy Chinese subjects.

METHOD

A single-center open two-cycle trial was conducted on 12 healthy subjects who received a single oral dose of 120 mg of bismuth potassium citrate. The plasma concentration of bismuth was determined using a validated inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‒MS) method. The pharmacokinetic parameters, including maximum serum concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve concentration-time curve (AUC0-t and AUC0-∞), and safety were evaluated via noncompartment analysis.

RESULTS

The ratios of the least square geometric mean ratio between the test (T) and reference (R) formulations for Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-∞ were 44.8%, 55.5%, and 64.4%, respectively; the bilateral 95% confidence intervals (Cis) for these parameters were 20.2-99.6%, 24.1-127.5%, and 23.7-175.0%, respectively, and the non-inferior limits for these parameters were 169.4%, 198.8%, and 200.5%, respectively. The upper limits of the one-sided 97.5% confidence interval for the least squares geometric mean ratio (T/R) were lower than the non-inferior limits. No serious adverse reactions or adverse reactions leading to detachment were observed among the subjects.

CONCLUSION

The concentration of bismuth in the blood of healthy subjects in the T formulation was not greater than that in the R formulation. Similarly, the safety of oral administration of 120 mg of bismuth potassium citrate formulations to healthy subjects was good. The trial registration number (TRN) was [2018] 013, 6 December 2018.

High-dose dual therapy versus bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To update evidence-based data comparing the efficacy and safety of high-dose dual therapy (HDDT) and bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BQT) in eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection through meta-analysis.

METHODS

Multiple databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to May 18, 2023. Dichotomous data were evaluated using risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, risk of bias assessment, and quality of evidence evaluation were performed.

RESULTS

Twenty RCTs containing 7891 subjects were included in the analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in H. pylori eradication rate between HDDT and BQT in the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (86.31% vs 84.88%; RR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04, P = 0.12). In the per-protocol (PP) analysis, the eradication rates for HDDT and BQT were 90.27% and 89.94%, respectively (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99-1.03, P = 0.44). Adverse events were significantly lower with HDDT than with BQT (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.38-0.51, P < 0.00001). Patient adherence was significantly different between the two groups (RR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.03, P = 0.02). Subgroup analysis based on antibiotic combinations within the BQT group showed a significantly higher eradication rate for HDDT than for BQT only when BQT used amoxicillin combined with clarithromycin (P = 0.0009).

CONCLUSIONS

HDDT showed comparable efficacy with BQT for H. pylori eradication, with fewer adverse effects and higher compliance. Due to regional differences, antibiotic resistance rates, and combined BQT antibiotics, more studies are needed for further validation and optimization of HDDT.

Clinical Study on the Eradication of Helicobacter pylori by Vonoprazan Combined with Amoxicillin for 10-Day Dual Therapy

Vonoprazan holds significant research promise for Helicobacter pylori eradication, with the goal of determining the most effective drug regimen. In this study, H. pylori patients (426) were enrolled and randomized into 3 groups: an EA14 group (20 mg of esomeprazole qid and 1000 mg of amoxicillin tid for 14 days), a VA14 group (20 mg of vonoprazan bid and 750 mg of amoxicillin qid for 14 days), and a VA10 group (20 mg of vonoprazan bid and 1000 mg of amoxicillin tid for 10 days). Key outcomes encompassed the H. pylori eradication rate, patient adverse effects, and compliance. In the EA14, VA14, and VA10 groups, H. pylori eradication rates were 89.4%, 90.1%, and 88.7% in intention-to-treat analysis, and 94.2%, 94.4%, and 94.6% in per-protocol analysis, respectively. Adverse events incidences were 14.8%, 12.7%, and 5.6%, while compliance rates were 88.7%, 90.9%, and 95.8%, respectively. Notably, the VA10 regimen demonstrated comparable H. pylori eradication rates, adverse effect incidences, and compliance levels to the EA14 and VA14 regimens.

Dynamic changes in the gut microbiota after bismuth quadruple therapy and high-dose dual therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication

BACKGROUND

A novel regimen with high-dose dual therapy (HDDT) has emerged, but its impact on the gut microbiota is not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of HDDT on the gut microbiota and compare it with that of bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT).

METHODS

We enrolled outpatients (18-70 years) diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori infection by either histology or a positive 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT) and randomly assigned to either the BQT or HDDT group. Subjects consented to provide fecal samples which were collected at baseline, Week 2, and Week 14. Amplification of the V1 and V9 regions of the 16S rRNA was conducted followed by high-throughput sequencing.

RESULTS

Ultimately, 78 patients (41 patients in the HDDT group and 37 in the BQT group) were enrolled in this study. Eradication therapy significantly altered the diversity of the gut microbiota. However, the alpha diversity rebounded only in the HDDT group at 12 weeks post-eradication. Immediately following eradication, the predominance of Proteobacteria, replacing commensal Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, did not recover after 12 weeks. Species-level analysis showed that the relative abundances of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia fergusonii significantly increased in both groups at Week 2. Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis significantly increased in the BQT group, with no significant difference observed in the HDDT group. After 12 weeks of treatment, the relative abundance of more species in the HDDT group returned to baseline levels.

CONCLUSION

Eradication of H. pylori can lead to an imbalance in gut microbiota. Compared to BQT, the HDDT is a regimen with milder impact on gut microbiota.

Association Study of Esomeprazole Pharmacokinetics and CYP2C19 Gene Polymorphisms

To investigate the association between esomeprazole pharmacokinetics and CYP2C19 gene polymorphisms in a cohort of 95 healthy Chinese participants. A cohort of 95 participants was assembled and stratified into 2 distinct groups, receiving either 20 or 40 mg of esomeprazole through oral administration. The subjects encompassed 17 poor metabolizers, 47 intermediate metabolizers, and 31 rapid metabolizers, and their genotypes were ascertained using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Esomeprazole plasma concentrations were quantified employing a high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were computed via Phoenix WinNonlin 6.1 software, while SPSS 26.0 facilitated statistical analysis to contrast the pharmacokinetics and the CYP2C19 genotypes. In the aftermath of administering 20 or 40 mg esomeprazole, marked differences were discerned between terminal elimination half-life, maximum concentration/dose, and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity/dose of esomeprazole (P < .05), with the exception of time to maximum concentration. The findings of this investigation signify a significant association between esomeprazole metabolism and CYP2C19 gene polymorphisms. There were no unprecedented adverse events documented subsequent to the administration of 20 and 40 mg esomeprazole dosages. Esomeprazole has manifested promising safety and tolerability profiles in pertinent clinical trials.

Clarifying varied Helicobacter pylori eradication therapies: A comprehensive review

Current global variations exist in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication regimens. Triple therapy (TT), bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT), and high-dose dual therapy (HDDT) currently represent the predominant regimens. These regimens diverge in terms of treatment duration, the utilization of susceptibility testing, acid-inhibiting drug administration, and patient education. We conducted a comprehensive systematic literature review on these H. pylori treatment regimens. Our review aims to provide standardized treatment recommendations for H. pylori, reducing the risk of amalgamating findings from diverse eradication regimens. Recent research suggests that the optimal treatment duration for TT and BQT may be 14 and 10 days, respectively. Selecting the appropriate treatment duration for HDDT should rely on regional research evidence, and 14 days may be the optimal duration. The incorporation of susceptibility testing in TT is of paramount importance. In the case of BQT, the absence of susceptibility testing may be considered as an option, contingent upon cost and availability, and should be determined based on local antibiotic resistance patterns and the efficacy of empirical regimens. The type and dosage of acid-inhibiting drug would affect the efficacy of these regimens. Acid-inhibiting drugs should be selected and applied reasonably according to the population and therapies. Adequate patient education plays a pivotal role in the eradication of H. pylori. In regions with accessible local research evidence, the 10-day empirical BQT regimen may be considered a preferred choice for H. pylori eradication.

Efficacy and safety of high-dose ilaprazole-amoxicillin dual therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a prospective, single-center, randomized trial

Background: Until now, there have been no randomized controlled trials directly evaluating the efficacy of high-dose ilaprazole-amoxicillin dual therapy (HT) in comparison to other standard treatments for H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) infection. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of HT with bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) as an initial treatment for H. pylori. Methods: This single-center, prospective, randomized clinical controlled trial recruited 225 consecutive patients. They were assigned to either HT group (ilaprazole, 10 mg, twice daily; amoxicillin 1,000 mg, three times daily) or BQT group (compound bismuth aluminate granules, 2.6 g, three times daily; ilaprazole, 5 mg, twice daily; amoxicillin, 1,000 mg, twice daily; clarithromycin, 500 mg, twice daily) for 14 days. The 13C-urea breath test assessed eradication success 4 weeks after treatment. The primary outcome focused on the eradication rate, with secondary outcomes including safety and compliance. Results: From February 2023 to March 2023, 228 subjects were screened, and 225 were randomized. The HT and BQT groups showed eradication rates of 76.3% and 61.3% (p = 0.015) both by intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis and per-protocol (PP) analysis. HT was associated with fewer adverse events than BQT (27.2% vs. 81.8%, p = 0.002). The most commonly reported adverse events was bitter taste of mouth (3.5% vs. 60.4%, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in compliance between the two groups (89.5% vs. 92.8%, p = 0.264). Conclusion: The 14-day HT treatment demonstrates better efficacy in H. pylori eradication treatment and improved safety and compliance compared to BQT. The results provide supporting evidence for 14-day HT can be potentially considered as a first-line regimen for empirical treatment. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=186562, identifier ChiCTR2200066284.

Update on the second-line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: a narrative review

A standard bismuth quadruple therapy, a fluoroquinolone-containing triple (or quadruple) therapy or a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-amoxicillin high-dose dual therapy has been recommended as a second-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection by the Maastricht VI/Florence Consensus Report. The major shortcoming of levofloxacin-amoxicillin triple therapy is low cure rate for eradicating levofloxacin-resistant strains. With the rising prevalence of levofloxacin-resistant strains, levofloxacin-amoxicillin triple therapy cannot reliably achieve a high eradication rate for second-line treatment of H. pylori infection in most countries now. The present article aims to review current second-line eradication regimens with a per-protocol eradication rate exceeding 85% in most geographic areas. Recently, a novel tetracycline-levofloxacin quadruple therapy consisting of a PPI, bismuth, tetracycline, and levofloxacin for rescue treatment of H. pylori infection has been developed. The new therapy achieved a higher per-protocol eradication rate than levofloxacin-amoxicillin triple treatment in a randomized controlled trial (98% versus 69%). Additionally, the tetracycline-levofloxacin quadruple therapy also exhibits a higher eradication rate than amoxicillin-levofloxacin quadruple therapy. High-dose dual PPI-amoxicillin therapy is another novel second-line treatment for H. pylori infection. The new therapy can achieve an eradication rate of 89% by per-protocol analysis for the second-line treatment in Taiwan. Recently, levofloxacin-based sequential quadruple therapy and potassium-competitive acid blocker have also been applied in the second-line treatment of H. pylori infection. A meta-analysis revealed that a vonoprazan-based regimen has significant superiority over a PPI-based regimen for second-line H. pylori eradication therapy. In conclusion, the eradication rate of levofloxacin-amoxicillin triple therapy is suboptimal in the second-line treatment of H. pylori infection now. Currently, a standard bismuth quadruple therapy (tetracycline-metronidazole quadruple therapy), a tetracycline-levofloxacin quadruple therapy, an amoxicillin-levofloxacin quadruple therapy, a levofloxacin-based sequential quadruple therapy or a high-dose PPI-amoxicillin dual therapy is recommended for the second-line treatment of H. pylori infection.

Ilaprazole-amoxicillin dual therapy at high dose as a first-line treatment for helicobacter pylori infection in Hainan: a single-center, open-label, noninferiority, randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, adverse events, patient compliance, and cost of dual therapy with Ilaprazole-amoxicillin (IA) at high dose versus Ilaprazole-amoxicillin-furazolidone-bismuth (IAFB) quadruple therapy for the Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection among Chinese patients.

METHODS

200 patients who had tested positive for H. pylori and undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy after being diagnosed with chronic gastritis participated in this open-label randomized controlled clinical trial. Patients were randomized to Group A and Group B: the 14-day IA dual treatment group (101) and IAFB quadruple treatment group (99). The ¹³ C urea breath test was conducted to determine whether H. pylori had been eliminated 4-6 weeks after the treatment. Eradication rates, drug-related adverse events, patient compliance, and drug costs were compared between the two treatment groups.

RESULTS

Eradication rates in group A were 92.1% and 94.9%, depending on the intention-to-treat (ITT), per-protocol (PP), respectively, which was similar to group B (91.9% and 93.6%). There was no significant difference observed in adverse events between the two groups (P = 0.518). Interestingly, compliance was significantly higher in group A compared to the group B (P = 0.031). In addition, drug costs were significantly lower for group A in comparison to the group B.

CONCLUSIONS

IA dual therapy was found to be equally effective, safer and less costly than IAFB quadruple therapy. Therefore, these therapies can be potentially considered as first-line regimens for empirical treatment.

Safety and effectiveness of vonoprazan-based rescue therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND

Vonoprazan (VPZ)-based regimens are an effective first-line therapy for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. However, their value as a rescue therapy needs to be explored.

AIM

To assess a VPZ-based regimen as H. pylori rescue therapy.

METHODS

This prospective, single-center, clinical trial was conducted between January and August 2022. Patients with a history of H. pylori treatment failure were administered 20 mg VPZ twice daily, 750 mg amoxicillin 3 times daily, and 250 mg Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) twice daily for 14 d (14-d VAS regimen). VPZ and S. boulardii were taken before meals, while amoxicillin was taken after meals. Within 3 d after the end of eradication therapy, all patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire to assess any adverse events they may have experienced. At least 4-6 wk after the end of eradication therapy, eradication success was assessed using a 13C-urea breath test, and factors associated with eradication success were explored.

RESULTS

Herein, 103 patients were assessed, and 68 patients were finally included. All included patients had 1-3 previous eradication failures. The overall eradication rates calculated using intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were 92.6% (63/68) and 92.3% (60/65), respectively. The eradication rate did not differ with the number of treatment failures (P = 0.433). The rates of clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin resistance were 91.3% (21/23), 100.0% (23/23), and 60.9% (14/23), respectively. There were no cases of resistance to tetracycline, amoxicillin, or furazolidone. In 60.9% (14/23) patients, the H. pylori isolate was resistant to all 3 antibiotics (clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin); however, eradication was achieved in 92.9% (13/14) patients. All patients showed metronidazole resistance, and had an eradication rate of 91.3% (21/23). The eradication rate was higher among patients without anxiety (96.8%) than among patients with anxiety (60.0%, P = 0.025). No severe adverse events occurred; most adverse events were mild and disappeared without intervention. Good compliance was seen in 95.6% (65/68) patients. Serological examination showed no significant changes in liver and kidney function.

CONCLUSION

VAS is a safe and effective rescue therapy, with an acceptable eradication rate (> 90%), regardless of the number of prior treatment failures. Anxiety may be associated with eradication failure.

Dual therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection

ABSTRACT

Bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BQT) has long been recommended for Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) eradication in China. Meanwhile, in the latest national consensus in China, dual therapy (DT) comprising an acid suppressor and amoxicillin has also been recommended. In recent years, the eradication rate of H. pylori has reached >90% using DT, which has been used not only as a first-line treatment but also as a rescue treatment. Compared with BQT, DT has great potential for H. pylori eradication; however, it has some limitations. This review summarizes the development of DT and its application in H. pylori eradication. The H. pylori eradication rates of DT were comparable to or even higher than those of BQT or standard triple therapy, especially in the first-line treatment. The incidence of adverse events associated with DT was lower than that with other therapies. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the effects of dual and quadruple therapies on gastrointestinal microecology. In the short term, H. pylori eradication causes certain fluctuations in the gastrointestinal microbiota; however, in the long term, the gastrointestinal microbiota eventually returns to its normal state. In the penicillin-naïve population, patients receiving DT have a high eradiation rate, better compliance, lower incidence of adverse reactions, and lower primary and secondary resistance to amoxicillin. These findings suggest the safety, efficacy, and potential of DT for H. pylori eradication.