Fourth Chinese National Consensus Report on the management of Helicobacter pylori infection

The Efficacy and Safety of Regimens for Helicobacter pylori Eradication Treatment in China: A Systemic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

With Helicobacter pylori's increasing antibiotic resistance, evidence of more effective treatments is lacking in China, where H. pylori prevalence is nearly 50%. Thus, we performed a network meta-analysis to compare therapeutic regimens.

METHODS

Data extracted from eligible randomized controlled trials from January 2000 to September 2021 were entered into a Bayesian hierarchical random-effects model to evaluate the efficacy and safety of H. pylori eradication regimens.

RESULTS

This study included 101 trials involving 21,745 patients. Vonoprazan-bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (VBQT) ranked the highest [surfaces under cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA), 83.64%], followed by high-dose amoxicillin dual therapy (HDDT) [SUCRA, 79.70%, odds ratio (OR)=1.31, 95% credible interval (CrI) (0.36, 4.72)] and proton pump inhibitor-based bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BQT) [SUCRA, 63.59%, OR=1.59, 95% CrI (0.48, 5.24)]. HDDT [OR=2.47, 95% CrI (1.51, 4.06)], BQT [OR=2.04, 95% CrI (1.69, 2.47)], concomitant quadruple nonbismuth therapy (CT) [OR=1.93, 95% CrI (1.19, 3.15)], and sequential therapy (ST) [OR=1.86, 95% CrI (1.50, 2.32)] had higher eradication rates than standard triple therapy (TT). ST (SUCRA, 82.52%) and VBQT (SUCRA, 83.89%) had the highest eradication rate before and after 2010 in the effectiveness ranking, respectively. Furthermore, the H. pylori eradication rate of patients receiving 14-day BQT treatment was higher than that of 10-day BQT regimen [OR=2.55, 95% CI (1.84, 3.53)] and 7-day BQT regimen [OR=3.64, 95% CI (2.64, 5.01)].

CONCLUSIONS

The TT regimen was not an optimal choice in China for H. pylori eradication; VBQT, HDDT, and BQT showed better efficacy. After 2010, there is a trend toward significance that VBQT provided a higher H. pylori eradication rate in China, but with only 1 randomized controlled trial. Thus, more supportive real-world data are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Global research trends and hotspots of Helicobacter pylori eradication based on clinical trial registration platforms: A cross-sectional analysis

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to obtain an overview of clinical trials on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and analyze the global trends and hotspots in this field.

METHODS

We collected the data from clinical trials focused on H. pylori eradication in the primary clinical trial registries from 2000 to 2022 in the world. Then we analyzed the research trends and hotspots in H. pylori eradication regimens in different regions at different periods.

RESULTS

A total of 780 clinical trials were included, which were mainly conducted in Asia (682), followed by Europe (59), Africa (20), North America (16), South America (7), Oceania (2). The most active countries were China (343), Iran (140), South Korea (63), and Japan (73). "Bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BQT)" was the most studied regimen (159, 20.38 %). Additionally, clinical trials focused on potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs)-based therapy, probiotics, and high-dose dual therapy (HDDT) were constantly increasing. BQT received the most attention in China (26.53 %) and Iran (22.14 %), while it was tailored therapy in South Korea (23.29 %). P-CABs-based therapy was the main reseach hotspot in Japan (61.90 %).

CONCLUSION

How to eradicate H. pylori infection has been a heated research topic. BQT, P-CABs-based therapy, probiotics, and HDDT attracted the most attention in recent years.

Vonoprazan-based triple and dual therapy versus bismuth-based quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection in China: a three-arm, randomised clinical trial protocol

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori infection and associated diseases are a growing global public health issue. H. pylori infection is the major cause of gastric cancer, over 90% of duodenal ulcers, and over 70% of gastric ulcers. The infection rate of H. pylori is approximately 50%, and approximately 50% of new cases of gastric cancer worldwide occur in China. Bismuth (BI)-based quadruple therapy is recommended as the first-line treatment for H. pylori in China. Vonoprazan (VPZ), a new potassium-competitive acid blocker that can inhibit gastric acid secretion more effectively than proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), has been combined with antibiotics to effectively eradicate H. pylori. In this study, we compared the efficacy and safety of two VPZ-based therapies with that of BI-based therapy for H. pylori treatment.

METHODS

A three-armed randomised controlled trial (RCT) is being conducted in Shenzhen, with 327 participants recruited from the Gastroenterology Clinic of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital. Patients were diagnosed with H. pylori infection based on a positive ¹³C-urea breath test (UBT). Patients are kept naïve to their treatment and are randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to either VPZ-based triple, VPZ-based dual, or BI-based quadruple therapy for 14 days. All groups are subjected to follow-up evaluations of safety, adverse drug reactions, and clinical variables in the first, second, and fourth weeks after treatment. Successful eradication is confirmed by a negative ¹³C-UBT six weeks after treatment. If initial treatment fails, (1) those patients are turned to another regimen, or (2) a drug resistance test is conducted, after which an individualised treatment regimen shall be prescribed according to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The resulting data will be evaluated using intention-treat and a per-protocol analysis.

DISCUSSION

This study is the a RCT aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 14-day VPZ-based triple and dual therapies in comparison with BI-based quadruple therapy. The outcomes of this study may allow treatment recommendations and update drug instructions in China.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2200056375). Registered on February 4, 2022, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=141314.

Comparing high-dose dual therapy with bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for the initial eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection on Hainan Island: a randomized, multicenter clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Traditional bismuth-containing quadruple therapy, as a first-line eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), has several disadvantages, including drug side effects, low medication adherence, and high costs. Trials of high-dose dual treatment have demonstrated its advantages, which include good safety and adherence profiles. In this study, we investigated the efficacy, safety, and compliance of a high-dose dual therapy when compared with bismuth-based quadruple treatment for the initial eradication of H. pylori infection on Hainan Island, China.

METHODS

We randomized 846 H. pylori-infected patients into two groups. A bismuth-containing quadruple therapy group was administered the following: esomeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily, and colloidal bismuth pectin in suspension 150 mg three times/day for 2 weeks. A high-dose dual therapy group was administered the following: esomeprazole 20 mg four times/day and amoxicillin 1000 mg three times/day for 2 weeks. Patients were given a 13C urea breath test at 4 weeks at treatment end. Adverse effects and compliance were evaluated at follow-up visits.

RESULTS

Eradication rates in the high-dose dual therapy group were: 90.3% (381/422, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 87.1%-92.9%) in intention-to-treat (ITT) and 93.6% (381/407, 95% CI: 90.8%-95.8%) in per-protocol (PP) analyses. Eradication rates were 87.3% in ITT (370/424, 95% CI: 83.7%-90.3%) and 91.8% in PP analyses (370/403, 95% CI: 88.7%-94.3%) for quadruple therapy, with no statistical differences (P = 0.164 in ITT and P = 0.324 in PP analyses). Adverse effects were 13.5% (55/407) in the dual group and 17.4% (70/403) in the quadruple group (P = 0.129). Compliance was 92.4% (376/407) in the dual group and 86.6% (349/403) in the quadruple group (P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

High-dose dual therapy had high eradication rates comparable with bismuth-based quadruple treatment, with no differences in adverse effects, however higher adherence rates were recorded.

Ten-Day Vonoprazan-Amoxicillin Dual Therapy as a First-Line Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection Compared With Bismuth-Containing Quadruple Therapy

INTRODUCTION

No study has investigated the efficacy and safety of vonoprazan-amoxicillin dual therapy compared with bismuth quadruple therapy (B-quadruple). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 10-day vonoprazan-amoxicillin dual therapy as a first-line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection compared with B-quadruple and to explore the optimal dosage of amoxicillin in the dual therapy.

METHODS

A total of 375 treatment-naive, H. pylori-infected subjects were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio into 3 regimen groups including VHA-dual (vonoprazan 20 mg twice/day + amoxicillin 750 mg 4 times/day), VA-dual (vonoprazan 20 mg + amoxicillin 1,000 mg twice/day), and B-quadruple (esomeprazole 20 mg + bismuth 200 mg + amoxicillin 1,000 mg + clarithromycin 500 mg twice/day). Eradication rates, adverse events (AEs), and compliance were compared between 3 groups.

RESULTS

The eradication rates of B-quadruple, VHA-dual, and VA-dual were 90.9%, 93.4%, and 85.1%, respectively, by per-protocol analysis; 89.4%, 92.7%, and 84.4%, respectively, by modified intention-to-treat analysis; 88.0%, 91.2%, and 82.4%, respectively, by intention-to-treat analysis. The efficacy of the VHA-dual group was not inferior to the B-quadruple group (P < 0.001), but VA-dual did not reach a noninferiority margin of -10%. The AEs rates of the B-quadruple group were significantly higher than those of the VHA-dual (P = 0.012) and VA-dual (P = 0.001) groups. There was no significant difference in medication compliance among 3 treatment groups (P = 0.995).

CONCLUSIONS

The 10-day VHA-dual therapy provided satisfactory eradication rates of >90%, lower AEs rates, and similar adherence compared with B-quadruple therapy as a first-line therapy for H. pylori infection. However, the efficacy of VA-dual therapy was not acceptable.

The management of Helicobacter pylori infection and prevention and control of gastric cancer in China

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, a type-1 carcinogen, was closely associated with gastric cancer (GC). Successfully eradicating H. pylori infection could reduce the incidence of GC. China was a country with high incidence of GC and high prevalence of H. pylori infection. Nearly half of worldwide GC new cases and deaths attributed to H. pylori infection occurred in China. H. pylori prevalence varied over time with the improvement of socioeconomic status and sanitary conditions. The knowledge of antibiotic resistance rate in time was important to guide the clinical choice of antibiotics use in the regimens. With the publication of five Chinese consensus reports on the management of H. pylori infection and the effort of public preach of H. pylori-related knowledge, the standardization of H. pylori diagnosis and treatment by clinicians was improved. Bismuth-containing quadruple therapy was widely applied in clinical practice of H. pylori eradication because of high efficacy and safety. High-dose Proton Pump Inhibitor-amoxicillin dual therapy or vonoprazan-amoxicillin dual therapy showed comparable efficacy and lower side effects than bismuth-containing quadruple therapy, which were the alternative choice. The diagnosis rate of early GC was low and distinguishing Chinese GC risk population for the further endoscopy screening was important. Efforts have been done to establish prediction models to stratify GC risk in the Chinese GC risk population. We reviewed the current situation of the management of H. pylori infection and prevention and control of GC in China here.

Inverse association between Helicobacter pylori infection and childhood asthma in a physical examination population: a cross-sectional study in Chongqing, China

Background

Childhood asthma has substantial effects on children's health. It is important to identify factors in early life that influence childhood asthma. Accumulating evidence indicates that Helicobacter pylori may protect against allergic diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between H. pylori infection and pediatric asthma in Chongqing, China.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study included healthy children aged 4–18 years who underwent a 13C urea breath test during medical checkups in 2021. All medical information was extracted from electronic medical records and a big data system. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between H. pylori infection and pediatric asthma, and multivariate regression models were adjusted for covariates.

Results

In our study, 2241 participants, including 1240 boys (55.33%) and 1001 girls (44.67%), underwent urea breath testing (average age: 8.67 ± 2.70 years). Among them, 292 (13.03%) were positive for H. pylori and 152 (6.78%) had asthma. The rates of asthma diagnosis in H. pylori-negative and -positive children were 7.23% and 3.77%, respectively (odds ratio = 1.995; 95% confidence interval: 1.003–3.968; P < .05). Furthermore, family history of asthma and the percentage of eosinophils in routine blood examination were associated with childhood asthma; however, the body mass index, platelet count, and serum vitamin D level were not.

Conclusions

We demonstrated a significant inverse association between H. pylori infection and pediatric asthma in Chongqing, China. Further studies are required to determine the causal association and underlying mechanisms to prevent and control childhood asthma.

Efficacy and Safety of Polaprezinc-Based Therapy versus the Standard Triple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most prevalent etiology of gastritis worldwide. H. pylori management depends mainly on antibiotics, especially the triple therapy formed of clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and proton pump inhibitors. Lately, many antibiotic-resistant strains have emerged, leading to a decrease in the eradication rates of H. pylori. Polaprezinc (PZN), a mucosal protective zinc-L-carnosine complex, may be a non-antibiotic agent to treat H. pylori without the risk of resistance. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a PZN-based regimen for the eradication of H. pylori. This study used a systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from WOS, SCOPUS, EMBASE, PubMed, and Google Scholar until 25 July 2022. We used the odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous outcomes presented with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). We registered our protocol in PROSPERO with ID: CRD42022349231. We included 3 trials with a total of 396 participants who were randomized to either PZN plus triple therapy (n = 199) or triple therapy alone (control) (n = 197). Pooled OR found a statistical difference favoring the PZN arm in the intention to treat and per protocol H. pylori eradication rates (OR: 2.01 with 95% CI [1.27, 3.21], p = 0.003) and (OR: 2.65 with 95% CI [1.55, 4.54], p = 0.0004), respectively. We found no statistical difference between the two groups regarding the total adverse events (OR: 1.06 with 95% CI [0.55, 2.06], p = 0.85). PZN, when added to the triple therapy, yielded a better effect concerning the eradication rates of H. pylori with no difference in adverse event rates, and thus can be considered a valuable adjuvant for the management of H. pylori. However, the evidence is still scarce, and larger trials are needed to confirm or refute our findings.

Impact of insufficient doses of medications on Helicobacter pylori eradication: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The doses of medications may influence the success of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication. This real-world observational study aimed to explore the impact of insufficient doses of medications prescribed for the bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BQT) regimen on successful H. pylori eradication.

METHODS

We retrospectively screened the patients who were diagnosed with H. pylori infection and received BQT regimens for H. pylori eradication at our department between January 2017 and July 2020. The rate of successful H. pylori eradication was compared according to the doses of medications prescribed. Standard doses were defined according to the clinical guidelines.

RESULTS

Overall, 1054 patients were included. The rate of successful H. pylori eradication was 78.2% (824/1054). Among them, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and antibiotics were prescribed at insufficient doses in 37.0% (390/1054) and 6.7% (71/1054) of patients, respectively. Furthermore, pantoprazole (98.7% [385/390]) was the most common type of PPIs prescribed at insufficient doses, and nitroimidazoles (85.9% [61/71]) were the most common type of antibiotics prescribed at insufficient doses. Among the patients receiving colloidal bismuth pectin (CBP) (200mg tid) and standard-dose antibiotics, the rate of successful H. pylori eradication was lower in insufficient-dose PPIs group than standard-dose PPIs group (78.1% [271/347] versus 82.6% [438/530], P=0.095). Among the patients receiving CBP (200mg tid) and standard-dose PPIs, the rate of successful H. pylori eradication was significantly lower in insufficient-dose antibiotics group than standard-dose antibiotics group (37.8% [14/37] versus 82.6% [438/530], P<0.0001). Among the patients receiving CBP 200mg tid, the rate of successful H. pylori eradication was significantly lower in patients receiving both PPIs and antibiotics at insufficient doses than those at standard doses (46.4% [13/28] versus 82.6% [438/530], P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Among the BQT regimens, PPIs and/or antibiotics, especially pantoprazole and metronidazole, are often prescribed at insufficient doses, compromising the success of H. pylori eradication.

A prospective study for evaluating the effect of gastric targeted biopsy sampling with I‐scan optical enhancement on the diagnostic yield of CLOtest for Helicobacter pylori infection

Background and Aim of the Work

Helicobacter pylorigastritis can cause serious adverse effects in the short and long term. I‐scan optical enhancement (OE) has a potential role to distinguish areas of infected mucosa and allow for targeted biopsy. It improves visual contrast and mucosal pattern characterization. The work aims to determine if the diagnostic yield of the CLOtest could be improved by using endoscopic I‐scan OE technology for targeted gastric biopsy sampling.

Patients and Methods

A prospective study recruited 112 adult patients with active H. pylori infection diagnosed by C¹³ UBT at Nizwa General Hospital from March 2021 to January 2022. The patients underwent a careful examination by nonmagnifying upper endoscopy and I‐scan OE 3 moods, then randomly allocated into two groups. Group A: nontargeted double biopsies from the antrum and mid corpus. Group B: I‐scan OE‐directed targeted biopsy from abnormal mucosal patterns. The biopsy specimens were inoculated into CLOtest kits; the reading time of the positive results was at 1, 4, and 24 h.

Results

Group B had a 92.8% positive CLOtest compared to 89.3% in group A (p = 0.501). One‐hour CLOtest was positive in 78.5% of the patients in group B compared to 60.7% in group A (p = 0.047), while group A had a significantly more positive CLOtest at 24 h.

Conclusion

Sampling a targeted gastric biopsy with the aid of I‐scan ‐OE for CLOtest significantly hastens the positive reading time with high sensitivity.

CYP2C19 Polymorphisms in Indonesia: Comparison among Ethnicities and the Association with Clinical Outcomes

Simple Summary

CYP2C19 is known as an enzyme primarily responsible for metabolizing various drugs, such as proton pump inhibitor, antiplatelet, anti-epileptic, and anticoagulant. CYP2C19 is known to be polymorphic and can result in the clinical efficacy of drugs. To examine the prevalence and the distribution of the CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms in Indonesia, we performed polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism to the genomic DNA of Indonesian participants. In addition, we also analyzed the distribution of CYP2C19 polymorphisms among ethnicities and clinical outcomes. We found that the prevalence of intermediate metabolizers were the highest in Indonesia, followed by rapid metabolizers and poor metabolizers, respectively. The distribution of metabolizer groups were different between ethnic groups in Indonesia. Therefore, dosage adjustment should be considered when administering drugs-affected by CYP2C19 in Indonesia. The results presented in this study showed the distribution of CYP2C19 variant alleles at the population level in Indonesia and might be used as a consideration for providing personalized treatment in clinical practice.

Abstract

CYP2C19 polymorphisms are important factors for proton pump inhibitor-based therapy. We examined the CYP2C19 genotypes and analyzed the distribution among ethnicities and clinical outcomes in Indonesia. We employed the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method to determine the CYP2C19 genotypes and evaluated inflammation severity with the updated Sydney system. For CYP2C19*2, 46.4% were the homozygous wild-type allele, 14.5% were the homozygous mutated allele, and 39.2% were the heterozygous allele. For CYP2C19*3, 88.6% were the homozygous wild-type allele, 2.4% were the homozygous mutated allele, and 9.0% were the heterozygous allele. Overall, the prevalence of rapid, intermediate, and poor metabolizers in Indonesia was 38.5, 41.6, and 19.9%, respectively. In the poor metabolizer group, the frequency of allele *2 (78.8%) was higher than the frequency of allele *3 (21.2%). The Papuan had a significantly higher likelihood of possessing poor metabolizers than the Balinese (OR 11.0; P = 0.002). The prevalence of poor metabolizers was lower compared with the rapid and intermediate metabolizers among patients with gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Intermediate metabolizers had the highest prevalence, followed by rapid metabolizers and poor metabolizers. Dosage adjustment should therefore be considered when administering proton pump inhibitor-based therapy in Indonesia.

Antofloxacin-based bismuth quadruple therapy is safe and effective in Helicobacter pylori eradication: A prospective, open-label, randomized trial

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The present study was designed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of antofloxacin-based bismuth quadruple therapy in Chinese patients with Helicobacter pylori infection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Total 290 patients with H. pylori infection were randomly and equally divided into two groups as per different bismuth quadruple therapies for 14 d: colloidal bismuth pectin 200 mg thrice a day, lansoprazole 30 mg twice a day, amoxicillin 1 g twice a day, and antofloxacin 200 mg once a day (ACLA group) or levofloxacin 500 mg once a day (LCLA group). Eradication was assessed with ¹³C-urea breath test 6 wk after treatment completion; the primary endpoint was the eradication rate by intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses. The minimum inhibitory concentration was measured with the PDM epsilometer test to assess the susceptibility of H. pylori strains on gastric biopsy specimens to antofloxacin and levofloxacin.

RESULTS

The eradication rates of H. pylori in the ACLA group were 93.8% and 97.8% for the ITT and PP analysis, respectively; these rates were significantly higher than those in the LCLA group, at 86.2% and 92.6%, respectively (p = 0.031 and 0.041, respectively). The total incidence of adverse events during the eradication therapy did not significantly differ between the ACLA and LCLA groups (31.7% vs. 37.9%%, p = 0.267), and the two groups displayed similar severity of adverse events (p = 0.156) and compliance rate (100% by ACLA vs. 97.8% by LCLA, p = 0.080). The eradication rate with the antofloxacin susceptible strains in the ACLA group was significantly higher than that with the resistant strains (99.2% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.045). Moreover, the eradication rate with the levofloxacin susceptible strains in the LCLA group was significantly higher than that with the resistant strains (95.3% vs. 80.0%, p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

Antofloxacin is safe and effective for H. pylori eradication. Antofloxacin-based bismuth quadruple therapy could be an alternative treatment for H. pylori eradication.

Application of a semi-automatic, intensive follow-up for improving efficacy and adherence of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: A randomized controlled trial

A complete understanding and good adherence are crucial for successful Helicobacter pylori eradication. Proper frequency of reminders might be helpful to both doctors and patients to maintain adherence during treatment. The study was to evaluate the influence of an intensive follow-up system based on a clinical database on H. pylori eradication therapy. A total of 196 eligible patients were equally and randomly divided into an intensive follow-up group and a control group. Both groups were administered bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for 14 days. Patients in the intensive follow-up group were informed of pre-treatment, including the duration and potential adverse events. Subsequently, they received telephone follow-ups on days 3 and 14 and 3 days before the urea breath test (UBT). The time points were automatically reminded by a follow-up system in the established clinical database. The control group was only informed of pre-treatment information. UBT was performed 4 weeks after treatment in both groups to assess the presence of H. pylori. The eradication rate, patient compliance, and adverse events were calculated and compared. The H. pylori eradication rates of the intensive follow-up and control groups were 94.7% (90/95, 95% CI: 90%-99%) and 92.9% (78/84, 95% CI: 87%-98%), respectively, by PP analysis (p = 0.601), and 91.8% (90/98, 95% CI: 86%-97%) and 81.6% (80/98, 95% CI: 74%-89%) by ITT analysis (p = 0.035). Adverse events occurred in 9 intensive follow-up group patients and 12 in the control group. Adherence was 96.9% (95/98) in the intensive follow-up group and 85.7% (84/98) in the control group. Semi-automatic intensive follow-up contributed to a higher eradication rate and adherence to H. pylori treatment.

Rabeprazole-amoxicillin dual therapy as first-line treatment for H pylori eradication in special patients: A retrospective, real-life study

BACKGROUND

The currently recommended quadruple regimens for Helicobacter pylori infection might not be appropriate for every patient, especially in elderly patients or those with multiple comorbidities.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rabeprazole-amoxicillin dual therapy in H pylori-positive elderly patients or those with multiple comorbidities.

METHODS

From November 2013 to May 2017, the clinical data of H pylori-positive patients ≥60 years old or with multiple comorbidities were collected and reviewed. All patients were given rabeprazole 10 mg three times a day and amoxicillin 1000 mg thrice a day (RA dual therapy) for 14 days as first-line treatment. H pylori eradication was evaluated by ¹³ C-urea breath test 6 weeks after treatment. Adverse effects were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 198 patients were enrolled, including 116 elderly patients and 82 patients with multiple comorbidities. Successful eradication was achieved in 90.9% (180/198, 95% CI: 86.1%-94.2%) patients. Adverse effects, which were mainly mild (referring to skin rash, abdominal pain, and diarrhea), occurred in 22 patients (22/198, 11.1%) and resolved spontaneously.

CONCLUSION

Dual therapy composed of rabeprazole and amoxicillin as a first-line treatment appears to be effective and safe for H pylori infection in elderly patients or those with multiple comorbidities. Additional studies are needed to optimize the regimen.

Proton pump inhibitor‐ and clarithromycin‐based triple therapies for Helicobacter pylori eradication

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To assess the effectiveness and safety of proton pump inhibitor‐ and clarithromycin‐based triple therapies for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori ) eradication.

Telephone-Based Reeducation of Drug Administration for Helicobacterpylori Eradication: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Study

Poor adherence to treatment instructions may play an important role in the failure of Helicobacter pylori eradication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of telephone-based reeducation on 14-day quadruple H. pylori eradication therapy. In total, 162 patients were randomly assigned (1 : 1) to either the intervention group (patients received telephone-based reeducation on the 4^th, 7^th, and 10^th days of the course) or the control group (patients received instructions only at the time of getting the prescriptions). All patients received a 14-day quadruple H. pylori eradication therapy. The primary outcome was the H. pylori eradication rate. The secondary outcomes included the symptom relief rates and the incidence rates of adverse events. Seventy-five patients in the reeducation group and 74 patients in the control group completed the follow-up. The H. pylori eradication rate in the reeducation group was statistically higher than that in the control group (intention-to-treat: 72.8% vs. 50.6%, P = 0.006; per-protocol: 78.7% vs. 55.4%, P = 0.003). However, the symptom relief rates and the adverse event rates in these two groups were not significantly different. Overall, the results from this study suggest that telephone-based reeducation can be potentially applied to improve the H. pylori eradication rate in clinical practice, without significantly increasing the adverse effects.

A randomized, multicenter and noninferiority study of amoxicillin plus berberine vs tetracycline plus furazolidone in quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori rescue treatment

OBJECTIVE

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is closely associated with gastric ulcers and gastric adenocarcinomas. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of a quadruple regimen with amoxicillin plus berberine vs tetracycline plus furazolidone in rescue therapy for H. pylori eradication.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized, open-label, multicenter, noninferiority trial. Patients with previous treatment failures recruited from five centers were randomized (1:1) to receive a regimen with esomeprazole and bismuth plus either berberine and amoxicillin (the BA group) or tetracycline and furazolidone (the TF group) for 14 days. Their H. pylori infection status was confirmed 4-8 weeks after treatment. The primary outcome was the eradication rate. The secondary outcomes included the rates of symptom improvement, compliance, and adverse events. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03609892).

RESULTS

Altogether 658 participants were consecutively enrolled. An intention-to-treat analysis demonstrated that the two regimens achieved a similar eradication rate (76.3% vs 77.5%; P = 0.781). The per-protocol analysis reached a similar result (81.5% vs 85.0%; P = 0.278). The eradication rate reached in the BA group was greater than the pre-established margin of noninferiority, at -10% (the lower bounds of the 95% CI were -7.66% and -9.43%, respectively). The rate of adverse events was lower for the BA group than the TF group (18.5% vs 26.1%, P = 0.024). Rates of compliance and symptom improvement were similar for the two therapies.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of both regimens in rescue treatment for H. pylori eradication was satisfactory, 14-day BA-based quadruple therapy is noninferior to the TF-based therapy.

Treatment strategies and preventive methods for drug-resistant Helicobacter pylori infection

The infection and drug resistance rates of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are high and must be prevented and treated by better strategies. Based on recent research advances in this field as well as the results from our team and those on traditional Chinese medicine, we review the causes of drug resistance, and prevention and treatment strategies for drug-resistant H. pylori infection, with an aim to make suggestions for the development of new drugs, such as establishment of new target identification and screening systems, modification of existing drug structures, use of new technologies, application of natural products, and using a commercial compound library. This article may provide reference for eradication of drug-resistant H. pylori.

Treatment with compound Lactobacillus acidophilus followed by a tetracycline- and furazolidone-containing quadruple regimen as a rescue therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND/AIM

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections has become more difficult because of increasing antibiotic resistance. We assessed the efficacy and safety of treatment with probiotics followed by a tetracycline- and furazolidone-containing quadruple regimen as rescue treatment for H. pylori infection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study examined patients with at least two H. pylori eradication failures. Patients were given a two-week compound Lactobacillus acidophilus (1 g t.i.d.), followed by a quadruple antibiotic regimen (esomeprazole [20 mg b.i.d.] + bismuth potassium citrate [220 mg b.i.d.] + tetracycline [750 mg b.i.d.] + furazolidone [100 mg b.i.d.]) for 10 days as rescue therapy. Eradication was evaluated using the^[13]C-urea breath test at 4 weeks after the end of therapy, and side effects were recorded.

RESULTS

The records of 50 patients were examined. Four cases experienced treatment failure, and one case received replacement with metronidazole because of allergy to furazolidone. The eradication rate was 92.0% [95% confidence interval (CI): 84.0-98.0%) in intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis and 91.8% (95% CI: 83.7-98.0%) in per protocol (PP) analysis. Side effects (mainly dizziness, dry mouth, and skin rash) occurred in 10 patients, all of which resolved after cessation of antibiotics.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who failed multiple attempts at H. pylori eradication may benefit from a treatment with probiotics followed by a tetracycline- and furazolidone-containing quadruple regimen.

Application of a social media platform as a patient reminder in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effect of a social media platform for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We enrolled 222 patients from October 2018 to June 2019, who required H pylori therapy. We used WeChat, a social media platform, as a patient reminder tool. They were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups (n = 111 per group) to compare and evaluate their disease awareness, medication adherence, incidence of adverse drug reactions, and H pylori eradication rate.

RESULTS

Patients in the intervention group had significantly better disease-related knowledge, medication adherence, and H pylori eradication rates than those in the control group (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Using a social media platform may improve treatment rates of H pylori infection.

The Comparison of Levofloxacin- and Clarithromycin-Based Bismuth Quadruple Therapy Regimens in Helicobacter pylori Eradication

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study was to compare the efficacy of quadruple therapy including levofloxacin and clarithromycin for Helicobacter pylori eradication.

METHODS

This clinical trial study was conducted on 189 patients with H. pylori infection who underwent gastroscopy and stomach biopsy in Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Kashan, Iran. After classification of patients, one group was treated with bismuth subcitrate (120 mg, 2 tablet/12 h), omeprazole (20 mg/12 h), amoxicillin (1 g/12 h), and clarithromycin (500 mg/12 h) and other group with bismuth subcitrate (120 mg, 2 tablet/12 h), omeprazole (20 mg/12h), amoxicillin (1 g/12 h), and levofloxacin (500 mg/12 h) for 2 weeks. After the end of the antibiotic treatment, omeprazole therapy was continued for 4 weeks. Two weeks after discontinuation of omeprazole, fecal antigen test was performed for both the groups to confirm the eradication of H. pylori infection.

FINDINGS

The success of H. pylori eradication in the levofloxacin and clarithromycin groups was observed in 78 (89.7%) and 71 (69.6%) patients, respectively (P < 0.01). A significant difference was also seen between the two groups in terms of side effects and its incidence (P < 0.01), so that the incidence of side effect types in the clarithromycin group was more than the levofloxacin group except muscular pain and fatigue (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Levofloxacin-based quadruple regimen therapy was superior to clarithromycin-based quadruple regimens regarding H. pylori eradication and side effects. Therefore, the levofloxacin-based regimen can be considered as an effective treatment for the first-line anti-H. pylori therapy.

Diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections in children and elderly populations

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with various gastric and extra-gastric diseases. Importantly, this infection is the strongest known risk factor for gastric cancer (GC). H. pylori eradication can effectively prevent H. pylori infection-associated diseases in H. pylori-positive patients, including children and elderly subjects. However, a limited selection of antibiotics, a higher reinfection rate, and certain spontaneous clearance rates, to some extent, restrict the choice of H. pylori treatments in pediatrics. In addition, it is imperative to perform an accurate diagnosis of H. pylori infection in children by determining the presence of the H. pylori infection and the underlying cause of symptoms. In elderly patients, poor tolerance to drugs and higher sensitivity to adverse effects are major concerns during H. pylori therapy. Recent studies have demonstrated that H. pylori eradication could significantly lower the GC risk in the elderly population. The benefit and risk of H. pylori eradication in elderly patients should be comprehensively considered and balanced. If available, susceptibility-based tailored therapies may be preferable in eradicating H. pylori. In addition, to increase the eradication rate and reduce adverse effects, new therapeutic strategies (e.g., probiotic supplementation, berberine supplementation, dual therapy) for H. pylori infection are being extensively investigated. The impact of H. pylori eradication with antibiotics on the microbiota in children has been explored, but further high-quality studies are crucial to delineate the extent of H. pylori eradication affecting the microbial community in children. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of H. pylori diagnosis and treatment in children and the elderly population and aim to provide insights into the efficient management and treatment implementation in these populations.

Helicobacterpylori eradication treatment for gastric carcinoma prevention in asymptomatic or dyspeptic adults: systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

Recent meta-analyses of eradication therapy in Helicobacter pylori-infected adults reported significant reductions in gastric carcinoma risk. However, concerns about supporting unfocused screening and eradication programme in healthy, asymptomatic populations have arisen. We performed a systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis to provide an accurate interpretation of randomised evidence on the preventive effectiveness of eradication therapy on gastric carcinoma risk.

METHODS

We searched databases including PubMed, Cochrane Central and Embase for reference and citation tracking without language restrictions, from inception through 31 July 2018. Paired investigators independently selected randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing eradication therapy with placebo or no treatment for asymptomatic or dyspeptic H. pylori-infected adults with no previous gastric carcinoma. The main outcome was gastric carcinoma incidence; secondary outcomes included gastric carcinoma-specific, non-gastric carcinoma and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 5 population-based and 2 outpatient care-based RCTs involving 7303 adults were eligible. Eradication algorithms were heterogeneous, and unsuccessful eradication and reinfection were frequently observed. A Bayesian meta-analysis with competing risk outcomes found low-certainty evidence that eradication therapy might be more likely than control to reduce gastric carcinoma risk (HR=0.65; 95% credible interval (CrI) 0.41 to 1.0; I² =11%). The CrIs included the null effects across the subgroup and sensitivity analyses, apart from those based on particular models that excluded two RCTs that enrolled subjects with specific histological findings only (HR=0.55; CrI 0.30 to 0.89; I² =14%). The uncertainty of the average 41% risk reduction in gastric carcinoma-specific mortality included a clinically important mortality risk increase (HR=0.59 favouring eradication therapy; CrI 0.25 to 1.20; I² =13%; low certainty).

CONCLUSIONS

There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the effectiveness of eradication therapy in preventing gastric carcinoma in H. pylori-infected, high-risk populations. Rigorously conducted large RCTs of healthy infected adults only would provide evidence of the true efficacy of successful eradication. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42014009245.

Effectiveness and safety of furazolidone-containing quadruple regimens in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection in real-world practice

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) has decreased largely because of the antibiotic resistance. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of furazolidone-containing quadruple regimens for H pylori eradication.

METHODS

This was an observational study of furazolidone-containing quadruple regimens for H pylori infection in real-world settings. Data sets were collected from the medical records and telephone interviews of patients referred to a specialist clinic for suspected H pylori reinfection from January 1, 2015, to January 1, 2018, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. Main outcome measures were the eradication rate and adverse reactions during medication.

RESULTS

Among 584 patients with H pylori infection that met the inclusion criteria, 561 (96.1%) were treated for the first time, 19 (3.3%) had one, and 4 (0.5%) had two or more prior to furazolidone-containing quadruple regimens. The eradication rates for 10-day and 14-day regimens were 93.7% (95% CI: 91.5%-95.9%) vs 98.2% (95% CI: 95.6%-99.3%), respectively (P = 0.098). Adverse drug reactions occurred in 8.2% (48/584) with abdominal discomfort being the most common symptom. Overall adverse events with 10-day regimens were lower than 14-day regimens (6.1% vs 17.4%, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that poor adherence (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 46.5, 95% CI: 9.7-222.4) was correlated with failed eradication. Adverse drug reactions during medication were related to smoking and tobacco status, alcohol intake history, regimens combined with tetracycline, and poor adherence (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Furazolidone-containing quadruple regimens proved both safe and highly effective in a real-world setting.

Efficacy and Safety of Vonoprazan-Based versus Proton Pump Inhibitor-Based Triple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Aims

To compare the efficacy and safety of vonoprazan-based versus proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

Methods

We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases for relevant randomized controlled trials up to March 2019. Studies were included if they compared the efficacy and safety of H. pylori eradication of vonoprazan-based and PPI-based triple therapy.

Results

Three studies with 897 patients were evaluated in this meta-analysis. The H. pylori eradication rate of vonoprazan-based triple therapy was higher than that of PPI-based triple therapy as first-line regimens (intention-to-treat analysis: pooled eradication rates, 91.4% vs 74.8%; odds ratio [OR], 3.68; 95% confidence interval (CI): [1.87–7.26]; P<0.05). The incidence of adverse events in vonoprazan-based triple therapy was lower than that in PPI-based triple therapy (pooled incidence, 32.7% vs 40.5%; OR, 0.71; 95%CI: [0.53–0.95]; P<0.05).

Conclusions

Efficacy of vonoprazan-based triple therapy is superior to that of PPI-based triple therapy for first-line H. pylori eradication. Additionally, vonoprazan-based triple therapy is better tolerated than PPI-based triple therapy.

Does Helicobacter pylori infection influence the major postoperative complication rate after sleeve gastrectomy? A retrospective cohort study in an endemic region

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Helicobacter pylori infection is very common in Eastern countries. Little is known about the impact this infection has on bariatric surgery outcomes. This retrospective cohort study conducted on obese Turkish adults who underwent sleeve gastrectomy at a single center aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and the effect of this infection on the rate of early major postoperative complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All consecutive patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy for obesity between 2014 and 2015 and who had complete data were enrolled. A single surgeon performed all procedures. All resected specimens were sent to pathology for analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 460 patients who met the eligibility criteria, 326 (71%) were female. The average (±standard deviation) age and body mass index were 37.5±10.0 years and 42.7±7.7 kg/m2, respectively. Histology revealed that 150 (33%) patients had H. pylori infection. The H. pylori-infected group developed two complications (leakage and intra-abdominal collection). The uninfected group developed three complications (all bleeding related). The two groups did not differ significantly regarding postoperative complication rates (1.3% vs. 1.0%; p=0.717).

CONCLUSION

H. pylori infection did not affect the rate of early complications after sleeve gastrectomy. This suggests that H. pylori screening or eradication policy is not essential for asymptomatic candidates who have undergone sleeve gastrectomy.

Alternative eradication regimens for Helicobacter pylori infection in Indonesian regions with high metronidazole and levofloxacin resistance

Background

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori resistance to metronidazole and clarithromycin is high in Indonesia. Moreover, the increasing levofloxacin resistance rates in the absence of bismuth treatment in Indonesia has led to the use of other antibiotics as alternative regimens.

Methods

We determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of five alternative antibiotics for H. pylori (rifaximin, rifabutin, furazolidone, garenoxacin, and sitafloxacin) using the agar dilution method and assessed mutations associated with antibiotic resistance using next-generation sequencing.

Result

Analysis of 106 strains isolated from 1039 adult dyspeptic patients revealed that none of the strains were furazolidone-resistant. All strains were also sensitive to rifabutin and sitafloxacin. In contrast, the rates of resistance to rifaximin and garenoxacin were high (38.9% and 6.7%, respectively). The strains isolated from patients on Java Island had the highest resistance rates to garenoxacin and rifaximin. In addition, the resistance was distributed evenly among the ethnic groups, ranging between 25.0% and 69.2%. Except for rifaximin, for which the resistance rate was 38.9%, the other four antibiotics could be successfully employed to eradicate levofloxacin- and metronidazole-resistant H. pylori infections in vitro. Interestingly, garenoxacin-sensitive strains were found in regions with high clarithromycin resistance rates such as Bali and Papua Islands. In contrast, rifaximin might not be considered as an alternative antibiotic in regions with high clarithromycin resistance. There was an inconsistent association between gyrA and gyrB mutations and garenoxacin resistance. We confirmed that the I837V (replacement of isoleucine at position 837 with valine), A2414T/V, Q2079K and K2068R were the predominant rpoB point mutations. There was an association between vacA genotypes of H. pylori and rifaximin resistance (P = 0.048).

Conclusion

furazolidone-, rifabutin-, and sitafloxacin-based therapies might be considered as alternative regimens to eradicate H. pylori in Indonesia, including regions with high metronidazole and clarithromycin resistance rates. Moreover, sitafloxacin but not garenoxacin should be considered for eradication of levofloxacin-resistant strains.

Furazolidone-containing triple and quadruple eradication therapy for initial treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection: A multicenter randomized controlled trial in China

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication has steadily declined, primarily because of antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of furazolidone eradication therapies as initial treatments for H. pylori infection.

METHODS

A national, multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial was performed at 16 sites across 13 provinces in China to evaluate the efficacy and safety of furazolidone-containing therapies for H. pylori infection. Treatment naïve patients were randomly assigned to: esomeprazole 20 mg, bismuth 220 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and furazolidone 100 mg twice daily for 10 and 7 days (FAB 10 and FAB 7; the same therapy without bismuth (FA 10 and FA 7). The primary and secondary outcomes were the eradication rate and regimen safety, respectively. Treatment success was assessed by the ¹³ C urea breath test at least 4 weeks after treatment completion.

RESULTS

Overall, according to intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, the eradication rates for FAB 10 and FAB 7 were 86.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 79.9%-93.2%) and 83.6% (95% CI, 76.3%-90.9%) and for FA 10 and FA 7 were 82.4% (95% CI, 74.9%-89.8%) and 77.6% (95% CI, 69.4%-85.8%), respectively. According to per-protocol analysis, the overall eradication rates for FAB 10 and FAB 7 were 94.7% (95% CI, 90.3%-99.1%) and 90.8% (95% CI, 85.1%-96.5%) and for FA 10 and FA 7 were 90.6% (95% CI, 84.9%-96.3%) and 85.1% (95% CI, 78.2%-92.1%), respectively. The overall prevalence of side effects was 8.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Furazolidone-containing therapies, particularly the tested 10-day quadruple therapy, exhibited satisfactory efficacy and safety. This 10-day quadruple therapy represents a promising initial treatment strategy for Chinese patients.

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in atrophic gastritis

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is a major human pathogen causing chronic, progressive gastric mucosal damage and is linked to gastric atrophy and cancer. Hp-positive individuals constitute the major reservoir for transmission of infection. There is no ideal treatment for Hp. Hp infection is not cured by a single antibiotic, and sometimes, a combined treatment with three or more antibiotics is ineffective. Atrophic gastritis (AG) is a chronic disease whose main features are atrophy and/or intestinal metaplasia of the gastric glands, which arise from long-standing Hp infection. AG is reportedly linked to an increased risk for gastric cancer, particularly when extensive intestinal metaplasia is present. Active or past Hp infection may be detected by conventional methods in about two-thirds of AG patients. By immunoblotting of sera against Hp whole-cell protein lysates, a previous exposure to Hp infection is detected in all AG patients. According to guidelines, AG patients with Hp positivity should receive eradication treatment. The goals of treatment are as follows: (1) Cure of infection, resolution of inflammation and normalization of gastric functions; (2) possible reversal of atrophic and metaplastic changes of the gastric mucosa; and (3) prevention of gastric cancer. An ideal antibiotic regimen for Hp should achieve eradication rates of approximately 90%, and complex multidrug regimens are required to reach this goal. Amongst the factors associated with treatment failure are high bacterial load, high gastric acidity, Hp strain, smoking, low compliance, overweight, and increasing antibiotic resistance. AG, when involving the corporal mucosa, is linked to reduced gastric acid secretion. At a non-acidic intra-gastric pH, the efficacy of the common treatment regimens combining proton pump inhibitors with one or more antibiotics may not be the same as that observed in patients with Hp gastritis in an acid-producing stomach. Although the efficacy of these therapeutic regimens has been thoroughly tested in subjects with Hp infection, there is a paucity of evidence in the subgroup of patients with AG. Bismuth-based therapy may be an attractive treatment in the specific setting of AG, and specific studies on the efficacy of bismuth-based therapies are needed in patients with AG.

Efficacy of two different dosages of levofloxacin in curing Helicobacter pylori infection: A Prospective, Single-Center, randomized clinical trial

Bismuth + proton pump inhibitor (PPI) + amoxicillin + levofloxacin is one of the bismuth quadruple therapy regimens widely used for the eradication of H. pylori infection. The recommended dosage of levofloxacin is 500 mg once daily or 200 mg twice daily to eradicate H. pylori infection. The aim of the present open-label, randomized control trial was to compare the effectiveness, safety, and compliance of different dosages of levofloxacin used to cure Helicobacter pylori infection. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive esomeprazole, amoxicillin, colloidal bismuth pectin and levofloxacin 500 mg once/day (group A) or levofloxacin 200 mg twice/day (group B) for 14 days. The primary outcome was the eradication rates in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses. Overall, 400 patients were enrolled. The eradication rates in group A and group B were 77.5% and 79.5% respectively, in the ITT analysis, and 82.9% and 86.4%, respectively, in the PP analysis. No significant differences were found between two groups in terms of eradication rate, adverse effects or compliance. Oral levofloxacin 200 mg twice daily was similar in efficacy for eradicating H. pylori infection to oral levofloxacin 500 mg once daily but with lower mean total costs.

Furazolidone treatment for Helicobacter Pylori infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Antibiotic resistance is a major cause of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) treatment failures. Because the resistance rate of H. pylori to furazolidone is low, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of furazolidone. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases and included randomized controlled trials (RCT) that either compared furazolidone to other antibiotics or changed the administered dose of furazolidone. A total of 18 articles were included in the meta-analysis. According to the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, the total eradication rates of furazolidone-containing therapy were superior to those of other antibiotic-containing therapies (relative risk [RR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.14) (13 RCTs). Specifically, the eradication rates of furazolidone-containing therapy were better than those for metronidazole-containing therapy (RR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01-1.21 for ITT). The eradication rate of furazolidone-containing bismuth-containing quadruple therapy was 92.9% (95% CI: 90.7%-95.1%) (PP). In addition, a higher daily dose of furazolidone increased the eradication rate (RR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05-1.31). And the incidence of some adverse effects, such as fever and anorexia, was higher in the furazolidone group than in the control group, the overall incidences of total side effects and severe side effects showed no significant differences between the groups. Furazolidone-containing treatments could achieve satisfactory eradication rates and did not increase the incidence of total or severe adverse effects, but the incidence of milder side effects, such as fever and anorexia, should be considered when prescribing furazolidone-containing treatments to patients.

Fifth Chinese National Consensus Report on the management of Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND

Since the 'Fourth Chinese National Consensus Report on the management of H. pylori infection' was published in 2012, three important consensuses (Kyoto global consensus report on H. pylori gastritis, The Toronto Consensus for the Treatment of H. pylori Infection in Adults and Management of H. pylori infection-the Maastricht V/Florence Consensus Report) have been published regarding the management of H. pylori infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A Delphi method was adopted to develop the consensus of relevant 'statements'. First, the established 'statements' were sent to experts via email. Second, after undergoing two rounds of consultation, the initial statements were discussed face to face and revised in the conference item by item on 16 December 2016. Finally, 21 core members of conferees participated in the final vote of statements. Voting for each statement was performed using an electronic system with levels of agreements shown on the screen in real time.

RESULTS

Consensus contents contained a total of 48 "statements" and related 6 parts, including indications for H. pylori eradication, diagnosis, treatment, H. pylori and gastric cancer, H. pylori infection in special populations, H. pylori and gastrointestinal microbiota.

CONCLUSIONS

Recommendations are provided on the basis of the best available evidence.

rdxA, frxA, and efflux pump in metronidazole-resistant Helicobacter pylori: Their relation to clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIM

rdxA and frxA mutations and enhancement of efflux pump have been suggested as the cause of metronidazole resistance in Helicobacter pylori. This study was performed to investigate the resistance mechanisms related to clinical eradication outcome, and to examine direct involvement of hefA in metronidazole-resistant isolates with intact rdxA and frxA.

METHODS

A total of 53 H. pylori-positive patients who were treated with metronidazole-containing sequential or quadruple therapy from 2011 to 2015 were enrolled. The metronidazole susceptibility of H. pylori isolates was examined by agar dilution test. Mutations in rdxA and frxA, were analyzed with DNA sequencing, and impact of hefA on metronidazole resistance was examined with quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, knockout and genetic complementation test for hefA.

RESULTS

Seven mutation types of rdxA and/or frxA were found in H. pylori isolated from non-eradicated subjects. rdxA mutation was associated with eradication failure (P = 0.002), and nonsense mutation in rdxA reduced eradication efficacy (P = 0.009). hefA expression was significantly higher in resistant isolates (P < 0.001), especially in rdxA(-)frxA(-) as compared to rdxA(+)frxA(+) (P = 0.027). Resistant isolates with no mutation in rdxA and frxA became susceptible after hefA knockout. Genetic complementation for hefA recovered metronidazole resistance in all of three hefA knockout mutants.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that rdxA mutations play a critical role in metronidazole resistance as well as the outcomes of eradication therapy. In addition, hefA seems to be directly involved in metronidazole resistance, which explains the resistance in clinical isolates with intact rdxA and frxA.

The Antibacterial Activity of Mass Galla Chinesis et Camelliae Fermentata on Helicobacter pylori Infection

Mass Galla chinesis et camelliae Fermentata (Chinese gall leaven, CGL) was investigated for activities against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) both in vitro and in vivo. The agar dilution method and time-kill curves, as in vitro assays and an in vivo study using a Kunming mice model, were performed. CGL demonstrated a strong anti-Helicobacter pylori activity in vitro with the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against multiple H. pylori strains of 0.5~8 mg/ml and the decreasing trend time-kill curves when increasing CGL concentrations. H. pylori eradication rates in vivo were evaluated based on rapid urease test (RUT) and histopathologic criteria. Results revealed that the eradication rates in the CGL groups were 40% (4/10) in the high dosage group, 33% (4/11) in the medium dosage group, and 18% (2/11) in the low dosage group, with the difference between the high dosage and H. pylori control groups being significant (P = 0.035). The H. pylori colonization scores could be reduced partly by CGL. These in vivo results demonstrated that CGL in a rationally high dosage might be the most effective.

Inappropriate treatment in Helicobacter pylori eradication failure: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

In recent years, success rates of empirical H. pylori therapies have fallen in many countries. Although antibiotic resistance and poor adherence are described as the main factors for treatment failure, in China, iatrogenic factors also play an important role.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate why patients experienced multiple failures, we performed a retrospective, single center study using questionnaires to identify causes of treatment failure other than antibiotic resistance.

METHODS

This study was conducted from January 2016 to July 2017 in a general hospital. Patients with at least two H. pylori treatment failures who completed the questionnaire were entered. The survey covered characteristics of the study population, regimens used, and adherence to therapy.

RESULTS

Two hundred and ninety three patients were included in the final analysis. The top three most antibiotic combinations as the first-line treatment were a PPI plus clarithromycin-metronidazole (24.6%, 72/293), clarithromycin-levofloxacin (23.5%, 69/293) and clarithromycin-amoxicillin (21.5%, 63/293). Clarithromycin-containing regimens were repeatedly used in 178 patients (60.8%) and levofloxacin-containing regimens repeatedly in 88 patients (30.0%). Fifty patients (17.1%) had poor adherence per treatment history and 32 (10.9%) stopped treatment because of nonmedical reasons.

CONCLUSIONS

In order to increase the success of H. pylori eradication therapy, the effect of prior therapies needs to be given more consideration. Patient education to enhance adherence also needs to be improved.

Meta-analysis: High-dose vs. low-dose metronidazole-containing therapies for Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of high dose of metronidazole in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.

Methods

Studies were identified from databases (Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov) searched from January 1990 to September 2017 using a battery of keywords. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of H. pylori treatment comparing the high-dose and low-dose metronidazole-containing therapies (high-dose and low-dose therapies). Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted relevant data and assessed study quality. A meta-analysis was performed by using Review Manager 5.3. Dichotomous data were pooled to obtain the relative risk (RR) of the eradication rate, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Four randomized controlled trials, a total of 612 patients with a diagnosis of H. pylori infection were included. Overall the meta-analysis showed that both high-dose and low-dose therapies achieved similar efficacy of intention-to-treat (ITT) eradication rate 82% vs. 76%, RR 1.12 (95%CI: 0.96 to 1.30), P = 0.15, and adherence 94% vs. 94%, RR 1.00 (95%CI: 0.97 to 1.04), P = 0.81, but side effects were more likely in high-dose therapies [32% vs. 17%, RR 1.84 (95%CI: 1.17 to 2.88), P = 0.008]. In subgroup analysis, increasing the dose of metronidazole enhanced eradication rates in areas with high metronidazole resistance [74% vs 52%, RR 1.40 (95%CI: 1.08 to 1.82), P = 0.01] and in individuals with metronidazole-resistant strains [71% vs. 46%, RR 1.50 (95%CI: 1.02 to 2.19), P = 0.04].

Conclusions

Both high-dose and low-dose therapies can achieve similar eradication rates and adherence and generally low-dose therapies cause fewer side effects. In populations with high metronidazole resistance, high dose of metronidazole can increase the eradication rates of H. pylori infection.

Association between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Single-Center Clinical Study

Objective

To investigate the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods

Data from 2051 participants who underwent ¹³C urea breath test and abdominal ultrasound examinations was collected. Participants were allocated to NAFLD risk group and NAFLD nonrisk group based on definite risk factors for NAFLD. The relationship between H. pylori infection and NAFLD was analyzed.

Results

No significant difference was found between rates of H. pylori infection and NAFLD using the chi-square test (P = 0.30) or regression analysis (P = 0.70). There was no significant difference between rates of H. pylori infection with and without NAFLD (P = 0.47) in the NAFLD risk group or in the NAFLD nonrisk group (P = 0.59). There was no significant difference between rates of H. pylori infection in men (P = 0.69) and in women (P = 0.27) or in participants aged 18–40 years (P = 0.43), 41–65 years (P = 0.14), and ≥66 years (P = 0.66) with and without NAFLD in the NAFLD risk group or between the same sex or age groups (P = 0.82, P = 0.66, P = 0.24, P = 0.53, and P = 1.00, resp.) in the NAFLD nonrisk group.

Conclusions

H. pylori infection does not appear to increase the NAFLD prevalence rate or to be associated with, or a risk factor for, NAFLD.

Evaluation of first-line bismuth-containing 7-day concomitant quintuple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication

OBJECTIVE

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is difficult to cure, mainly due to antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of 7-day bismuth-containing concomitant quintuple regimen for H. pylori eradication.

METHODS

Conducted from August 2015 to February 2016 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, this prospective trial enrolled 70 untreated patients who were positive for H. pylori. The patients received 7-day quintuple therapy consisting of bismuth subcitrate 220 mg, esomeprazole 20 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, amoxicillin 1 g and metronidazole 400 mg, each was given twice daily. All patients underwent a ¹³ C-urea breath test at 4 weeks after treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 70 patients at a mean age of 43.5 years, including 36 men, were included in this trial. One person who violated the protocol was further excluded. The treatment compliance rate was 99.6%. The overall eradication rates of the 7-day bismuth-containing concomitant quintuple therapy were 75.4% (intention-to-treat analysis) and 86.7% (per-protocol analysis). The prevalence of side effects was 31.9%, including a bitter taste (23.2%), nausea (4.3%), dizziness (2.9%), diarrhea (2.9%), limb asthenia (2.9%), skin rash (1.4%), numbness of the tip of the tongue (1.4%) and insomnia (1.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

The 7-day bismuth-containing concomitant quintuple therapy may not be superior to traditionally widely accepted therapy due to its lack of acceptable efficacy and high rate of side effects.

Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori to 16 antibiotics in clinical patients

BACKGROUND

Resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) to antibiotics is increasing worldwide. To determine the status of H. pylori resistance and its patterns in clinical patients, an investigation utilizing susceptibility testing for commonly used antibiotics was needed.

METHODS

Total of 2283 H. pylori strains were collected from 2013 to 2016. The resistance and its patterns of these strains were tested by agar dilution method. The resistance rate and minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) in different gender groups were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The overall resistance rates were as following: amoxicillin (1.58%), clarithromycin (22.73%), levofloxacin (24.75%), furazolidone (1.49%), doxycycline (9.20%), cefetamet (97.20%), ceftriaxone (49.60%), cefuroxime (25.20%), gentamicin (3.73%), azithromycin (85.60%), rifampicin (2.80%), metronidazole (92.53%), ornidazole (94.27%), tinidazole (87.20%), ciprofloxacin (43.20%), and moxifloxacin (38.53%). There were only 64.08% strains pan-susceptible to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, and furazolidone, followed by mono resistance (23.17%), double resistance (11.13%), triple resistance (1.36%), and quadruple resistance (0.26%). Significant differences in the resistance rate and MIC were also observed in different gender groups.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotic resistance trends of H. pylori is increasing in clinical patients. With the increasing resistance, it is imperative to individualized therapy based on the results of drug susceptibility testing.

Berberine containing quadruple therapy for initial Helicobacter pylori eradication: An open-label randomized phase IV trial

BACKGROUND

Due to increasing antimicrobial resistance, a bismuth-based quadruple regimen has been recommended as an alternative first-line therapy for Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) eradication. However, different results are varied greatly and the availability of bismuth was limited in some countries. We assessed the efficacy and safety of 14-day berberine-containing quadruple therapy as an alternative regimen for H pylori eradication.

METHODS

In a randomized, open-label, non-inferiority, phase IV trial between November 25, 2014, and October 15, 2015, 612 treatment-naive patients were randomly assigned to 14-day berberine-containing (n = 308) or 14-day bismuth-containing (n = 304) quadruple therapy. The primary outcomes were eradication rates determined by the C urea breath test (C-UBT) 28 days after the end of treatment. The secondary outcomes were adverse events and compliance.

RESULTS

The baseline demographic data including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), general condition and severity score were not statistically different in both groups. The eradication rates in bismuth and berberine groups were 86.4% (266/308) and 90.1% (274/304) in intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (P = .149), and 89.6% (266/297) and 91.3% (273/299) in per-protocol (PP) analysis (P = .470), respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in the overall incidence of adverse events between both groups (35.7% vs 28.6%, P = .060).

CONCLUSIONS

Both regimens achieved the recommended efficacy for H pylori eradication. The berberine-containing quadruple regimen was not inferior to bismuth-containing quadruple regimen and can be recommended as an alternative regimen for H pylori eradication in the local region.

Impact of health insurance coverage for Helicobacter pylori gastritis on the trends in eradication therapy in Japan: retrospective observational study and simulation study based on real-world data

OBJECTIVES

To explore the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Japan and the trends of its eradication therapy before and after the changes of the insurance coverage policy, first started in 2000, and expanded to cover H. pylori-positive gastritis in 2013. The impacts that the changes brought were estimated.

METHODS

In this retrospective observational study and simulation study based on health insurance claims data, product sales data and relevant studies, individuals who received triple therapy (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, proton-pump inhibitors or potassium-competitive acid blockers) were defined as the first-time patients for H. pylori eradication in two Japanese health insurance claims databases (from approximately 1.6 million and 10.5 million individuals). Each sales data of eradication packages and examination kits were used to estimate the number of H. pylori-eradicated individuals nationwide. The prevalence of H. pylori infection, including the future rate, was predicted using previous studies and the estimated population trend by a national institute. Cases completed prior to the policy change on insurance coverage were simulated to estimate what would have happened had there been no change in the policy.

RESULTS

The numbers of patients first received eradication therapy were 81 119 and 170 993 from two databases. The nationwide estimated number of patients successfully eradicated was approximately 650 000 per year between 2001 and 2012, whereas it rapidly rose to 1 380-000 per year in 2013. The estimated prevalence of infection in 2050 is 5%, this rate was estimated to be 28% and 22% if the policy changes had not occurred in 2000 and 2013, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of policy changes for H. pylori eradication therapy on the prevalence of infection was shown. The results suggest that insurance coverage expansion may also reduce the prevalence in other countries with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection if the reinfection is low.

First-line therapies for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a critical reappraisal of updated guidelines

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) treatment remains a challenge for the clinician, as no available therapy is able to cure the infection in all treated patients. In the last two decades, several antibiotic combinations have been proposed, including triple therapies, bismuth-free therapies (sequential, concomitant, hybrid regimens), and bismuth-based quadruple therapy. Some national and international guidelines on H. pylori management have recently been updated, recommending or discouraging the use of each of these therapeutic approaches, based mainly on the presumed pattern of primary antibiotic resistance in different geographic areas. We examined the recommendations on first-line therapies in the most recently updated guidelines worldwide, taking into account other data affecting the efficacy of a therapy regimen beyond the primary resistance pattern. Although several guidelines highlighted that the results achieved by an eradication therapy are population-specific and not directly transferable, it emerged that some therapy regimens are recommended or discouraged with no mention of the vital need for national data.

Randomized Clinical Trial: Esomeprazole, Bismuth, Levofloxacin, and Amoxicillin or Cefuroxime as First-Line Eradication Regimens for Helicobacter pylori Infection

BACKGROUND

The eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection remains a challenge, especially in the patients unsuitable to take penicillin. Cephalosporin has the potential to replace amoxicillin for H. pylori eradication.

AIMS

To compare the effectiveness, safety, and compliance of amoxicillin- and cefuroxime-containing quadruple regimens in treatment-naïve patients.

METHODS

In this open-label randomized control study, 400 patients with H. pylori infection were divided into amoxicillin-containing (esomeprazole 20 mg twice/day, amoxicillin 1000 mg twice/day, levofloxacin 500 mg once/day, and bismuth 220 mg twice/day for 14 days) or cefuroxime-containing (esomeprazole 20 mg twice/day, cefuroxime 500 mg twice/day, levofloxacin 500 mg once/day, and bismuth 220 mg twice/day for 14 days) quadruple therapy groups. The safety and compliance were assessed 1-3 days after eradication. Urea breath test was performed 8-12 weeks after eradication to determine treatment outcome.

RESULTS

The baseline data including antibiotic resistance were well matched between the two groups. The eradication rates between amoxicillin- and cefuroxime-containing quadruple therapy groups were not significantly different [intention-to-treat analysis: 83.5% (95% confidence interval 78.3-88.7%) vs. 81.0% (75.5-86.5%), P = 0.513; modified intention-to-treat analysis: 90.3% (86.0-94.6%) vs. 88.5% (83.9-93.2%), P = 0.586; per-protocol analysis: 91.6% (87.5-95.7%) vs. 89.8% (85.3-94.3%), P = 0.560]. The incidence of adverse effects (18.4 vs. 20.1%, P = 0.678) and compliance (94.7 vs. 94.2%, P = 0.813) were also similar. Variate analyses showed that antibiotic resistance and poor compliance were the independent risk factors for eradication failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Esomeprazole, bismuth, levofloxacin, and amoxicillin or cefuroxime achieved similar and relatively satisfactory cure rates, safety, and compliance in first-line H. pylori eradication. Cefuroxime may be a good alternative medicine for eradication instead of amoxicillin for the patients unsuitable to take penicillin.

Novel and Effective Therapeutic Regimens for Helicobacter pylori in an Era of Increasing Antibiotic Resistance

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common gastrointestinal bacterial strain closely associated with the incidence of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and gastric cancer. A current research and clinical challenge is the increased rate of antibiotic resistance in H. pylori, which has led to a decreased H. pylori eradication rate. In this article, we review recent H. pylori infection and reinfection rates and H. pylori resistance to antibiotics, and we discuss the pertinent treatments. A PubMed literature search was performed using the following keywords: Helicobacter pylori, infection, reinfection, antibiotic resistance, bismuth, proton pump inhibitors, vonoprazan, susceptibility, quintuple therapy, dual therapy, and probiotic. The prevalence of H. pylori has remained high in some areas despite the decreasing trend of H. pylori prevalence observed over time. Additionally, the H. pylori reinfection rate has varied in different countries due to socioeconomic and hygienic conditions. Helicobacter pylori monoresistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole or levofloxacin was common in most countries. However, the prevalence of amoxicillin and tetracycline resistance has remained low. Because H. pylori infection and reinfection present serious challenges and because H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole or levofloxacin remains high in most countries, the selection of an efficient regimen to eradicate H. pylori is critical. Currently, bismuth-containing quadruple therapies still achieve high eradication rates. Moreover, susceptibility-based therapies are alternatives because they may avoid the use of unnecessary antibiotics. Novel regimens, e.g., vonoprazan-containing triple therapies, quintuple therapies, high-dose dual therapies, and standard triple therapies with probiotics, require further studies concerning their efficiency and safety for treating H. pylori.

Primary Antibiotic Resistance of Helicobacter pylori in China

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Antibiotic resistance is the most important factor leading to the failure of eradication regimens; thus, it is important to obtain regional antibiotic resistance information. This review focuses on the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori primary resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, amoxicillin, levofloxacin, tetracycline, and furazolidone in China.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biomedical databases from the earliest date of each database to October 2016. The search terms included the following: H. pylori, antibiotic (including clarithromycin, metronidazole, amoxicillin, levofloxacin, tetracycline, and furazolidone) resistance with or without China or different regions of China. The data analysis was performed using MedCalc 15.2.2. Each article was weighted according to the number of isolated H. pylori strains. A pooled proportion analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies (14 studies in English and 9 in Chinese) were included in this review. A total of 6274, 6418, 3921, 5468, 2802, and 275 H. pylori strains were included in this review to evaluate the prevalence of H. pylori primary resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, and furazolidone, respectively. Overall, the primary resistance rates of clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, and furazolidone were 28.9, 63.8, 28.0, 3.1, 3.9, and 1.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In China, the prevalence of H. pylori primary resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin was high and increased over time, whereas the resistance rates to amoxicillin, tetracycline, and furazolidone were low and stable over time.

Polaprezinc combined with clarithromycin-based triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis: A prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical trial

The efficacy and safety of polaprezinc combined with triple therapy was compared with triple therapy alone in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. A randomized, parallel-group, open-label, controlled, prospective multicenter study was conducted in 11 cities in China. Treatment-naive patients with H. pylori-associated gastritis were randomly assigned to one of three arms for a 14-day treatment: Arm A triple therapy (omeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, and clarithromycin 500 mg, each twice daily) plus polaprezinc 75 mg twice daily; Arm B triple therapy plus polaprezinc 150 mg twice daily, or Arm C triple therapy alone. The rate of H. pylori eradication was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were symptom improvement and lower incidence of adverse events. 303 patients completed the study- 106, 96, and 101 patients in Arms A, B, and C, respectively. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed that the rate of H. pylori eradication was significantly higher for Arms A (77.0%) and B (75.9%) compared to Arm C (58.6%) (P < 0.01), whereas there was no difference between Arms A and B (P = 0.90). Per-protocol (PP) analysis showed that the rate of H. pylori eradication was significantly higher for Arms A (81.1%) and B (83.3%) compared to Arm C (61.4%) (P < 0.01), whereas there was no significant difference between Arms A and B (P = 0.62). All three groups reported significant symptom improvement at 7, 14, and 28 days after treatment, compared to baseline (P < 0.0001). The adverse event rate for Arm B (5.1%) was higher than for Arms A (2.8%) (P = 0.04) and C (1.9%) (P = 0.02). There were no serious adverse events in any group. It appears that standard dose polaprezinc combined with triple therapy can significantly improve the H. pylori eradication rate, without an increase in toxicity.

The internalization of Helicobacter pylori plays a role in the failure of H. pylori eradication

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) internalization involves invasion of cells by the bacterium. Several studies have shown that H. pylori can invade human gastric epithelial cells, immune cells, and Candida yeast in vivo and in vitro. Whether bacterial invasion plays a role in eradication failure is unclear.

AIM

To investigate the relationship between H. pylori invasion of GES-1 cells and H. pylori eradication failure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-two clinical strains isolated from H. pylori-positive patients with different outcomes after treatment with furazolidone-based therapy were examined (17 failures and 25 successes). The H. pylori strains were shown to be susceptible to amoxicillin and furazolidone, and the patients also exhibited good compliance. Genotyping was performed for cagA and vacA (s and m). The antibiotic susceptibility of the strains to amoxicillin, furazolidone, clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin was determined by E-tests. The levels of H. pylori invasion of GES-1 cells were detected by gentamicin colony-forming unit assays.

RESULTS

The internalization level in the eradication success group was 5.40±5.78 × 10^-3  cfu/cell, and the median was 6.194 × 10^-3  cfu/cell; the internalization level in the eradication failure group was 8.98±5.40 × 10^-3  cfu/cell, and the median was 10.28 × 10^-3  cfu/cell. The eradication failure group showed a greater invasion level than the eradication success group (P<.05). No significant difference was observed between the susceptible strains and the resistant strains when the internalization levels were compared (P>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that H. pylori invasion of the gastric epithelia might play a role in eradication failure.