Long-term follow-up Helicobacter pylori reinfection rate and its associated factors in Korea

Effect of Helicobacter pylori Eradication Treatment on Metachronous Gastric Neoplasm Prevention Following Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Gastric Adenoma

The long-term effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on metachronous gastric neoplasm prevention after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of gastric adenoma is unclear. This study included patients with confirmed H. pylori infection after ESD with curative resection for gastric adenoma. Patients were divided based on the success of H. pylori eradication treatment into two groups: eradication and non-eradication. Patients with any newly detected lesion within 1 year after ESD and recurrence at the ESD site were excluded from the analysis. Further, 1:1 propensity score matching was also performed to eliminate baseline differences between the two groups. H. pylori eradication treatment was administered to 673 patients after ESD (163 in the successful eradication group and 510 in the non-eradication group). During the median follow-up periods of 25 and 39 months in the eradication and non-eradication groups, metachronous gastric neoplasm was identified in 6 (3.7%) and 22 patients (4.3%), respectively. Adjusted Cox analysis revealed that H. pylori eradication was not associated with increased risk of metachronous gastric neoplasm after ESD. Kaplan-Meier analysis in the matched population yielded similar findings (p = 0.546). H. pylori eradication treatment was not associated with metachronous gastric neoplasm after ESD with curative resection for gastric adenoma.

Chinese Consensus Report on Family-Based Helicobacter pylori Infection Control and Management (2021 Edition)

OBJECTIVE

Helicobacter pylori infection is mostly a family-based infectious disease. To facilitate its prevention and management, a national consensus meeting was held to review current evidence and propose strategies for population-wide and family-based H. pylori infection control and management to reduce the related disease burden.

METHODS

Fifty-seven experts from 41 major universities and institutions in 20 provinces/regions of mainland China were invited to review evidence and modify statements using Delphi process and grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation system. The consensus level was defined as ≥80% for agreement on the proposed statements.

RESULTS

Experts discussed and modified the original 23 statements on family-based H. pylori infection transmission, control and management, and reached consensus on 16 statements. The final report consists of three parts: (1) H. pylori infection and transmission among family members, (2) prevention and management of H. pylori infection in children and elderly people within households, and (3) strategies for prevention and management of H. pylori infection for family members. In addition to the 'test-and-treat' and 'screen-and-treat' strategies, this consensus also introduced a novel third 'family-based H. pylori infection control and management' strategy to prevent its intrafamilial transmission and development of related diseases.

CONCLUSION

H. pylori is transmissible from person to person, and among family members. A family-based H. pylori prevention and eradication strategy would be a suitable approach to prevent its intra-familial transmission and related diseases. The notion and practice would be beneficial not only for Chinese residents but also valuable as a reference for other highly infected areas.

Three-Decade Failure to the Eradication of Refractory Helicobacter pylori Infection and Recent Efforts to Eradicate the Infection

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori causes dangerous and deadly diseases such as gastric cancer and duodenal ulcers. Eradication and treatment of this bacterium are very important due to the deadly diseases caused by H. pylori and the high cost of treatment for countries.

METHODS

Thus, we present a complete list of the most important causes of failure in the treatment and eradication of H. pylori, and address new therapeutic methods that may be effective in controlling this bacterium in the future.

RESULTS

Many efforts have been made to control and eradicate this bacterium over the years, but no success has been achieved since its eradication is a complex process affected by the bacterial properties and host factors. Previous studies have shown that various factors are involved in the failure to eradicate H. pylori, such as new genotypes of the bacterium with higher pathogenicity, inappropriate patient cooperation, mutations, biofilm formation and dormant forms that cause antibiotic resistance, acidic stomach pH, high bacterial load, smoking, immunosuppressive features and intracellular occurrence of H. pylori. On the other hand, recent studies reported that the use of probiotics, nanoparticles, antimicrobial peptides, natural product and vaccines can be helpful in the treatment and eradication of H. pylori infections.

CONCLUSION

Eradication of H. pylori is crucial for the treatment of important diseases such as gastric cancer. Therefore, it seems that identifying the failure causes of treating this bacterium can be helpful in controlling the infections. Besides, further studies on new therapeutic strategies may help eradicate H. pylori in the future.

Whole family-based Helicobacter pylori eradication is a superior strategy to single-infected patient treatment approach: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Two critical concerns during Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication are the successful eradication and recurrence. It is debatable whether whole family-based H. pylori treatment regimen might have any advantage over single-infected patient treatment approach in increasing eradication rate and reducing recurrence rate. We conduct systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of these two treatment regimens in order to provide clinical practice a better option for H. pylori eradication.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials evaluating H. pylori eradication and recurrence in whole family-based treatment group (WFTG) versus single-infected patient treatment group (SPTG) were collected from published literature up to July 2020 from common databases. Pooled results were analyzed using either fixed-effect or random-effect model. Results were expressed as the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

A total of 1751 relevant articles were identified, and 12 studies were eligible for analysis. Among them: (a) Eight articles including 1198 patients were selected to analyze H. pylori eradication rate, pooled result showed that eradication rate of WFTG was higher than that of SPTG (OR=2.93; 95% CI 1.68-5.13). Stratified analysis showed that H. pylori eradication rate in WFTG were higher over SPTG in children subgroup, but had no difference in spouse subgroup. (b) Six studies including 881 patients were analyzed for recurrence rate between the two groups, pooled analysis showed that the overall recurrence rate of WFTG was lower than that of SPTG (OR=0.3; 95% CI 0.19-0.48). Stratified analysis showed that the recurrence rate in WFTG was lower over SPTG at 6, 12, 18, and more than 24 months post-treatment subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Whole family-based H. pylori treatment can partially increase eradication rate and reduce recurrence rate over single-infected patient treatment approach, the results provide clinical practice a novel notion for H. pylori eradication and infection prevention.

The need to strengthen measures for the diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in Russia. Memorandum

Justification The participants of the round table on diagnosis and treatment of acid - and Helicobacter-dependent diseases, held on November 20, 2020 at the XXIII congress of the Scientific Society of Gastroenterologists of Russia within the framework of the XV National Congress of Therapists (Authors) having discussed the status of the issue, decided on the need to harmonize measures and pool efforts to reduce the incidence of H. pylori infection by approaching the medical community with this Memorandum.

The need to strengthen measures for the diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in Russia. Memorandum

Justification The participants of the round table on diagnosis and treatment of acid - and Helicobacter-dependent diseases, held on November 20, 2020 at the XXIII congress of the Scientific Society of Gastroenterologists of Russia within the framework of the XV National Congress of Therapists (Authors) having discussed the status of the issue, decided on the need to harmonize measures and pool efforts to reduce the incidence of H. pylori infection by approaching the medical community with this Memorandum.

Changing prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in children and adolescents

Helicobacter pylori infection has declined over recent decades. However, its prevalence remains high, and nearly 50% of the global population has been infected. In Korea, seroprevalence has steadily decreased in adults, but the status of H. pylori infection in children is unknown. The current status or trend of H. pylori infection in children is important because it can help estimate H. pylori-related diseases including gastric cancer in later life. In this review, the authors discuss the change in H. pylori infection rate among children and adolescents based on literature reviews and our research.

The updated JSPGHAN guidelines for the management of Helicobacter pylori infection in childhood

The Japan Pediatric Helicobacter pylori Study Group published the first guidelines on childhood H. pylori infection in 1997. They were later revised by the Japanese Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (JSPGHAN). The H. pylori eradication rates, when employing triple therapy with amoxicillin and clarithromycin, currently recommended as the first-line therapy of H. pylori infection in Japan, have substantially decreased, creating an important clinical problem worldwide. In Japanese adults, the "test-and-treat" strategy for H. pylori infection is under consideration as an approach for gastric cancer prevention. However, the combined North American and European pediatric guidelines have rejected such a strategy for asymptomatic children. As risk for gastric cancer development is high in Japan, determining whether the "test-and-treat" strategy can be recommended in children has become an urgent matter. Accordingly, the JSPGHAN has produced a second revision of the H. pylori guidelines, which includes discussion about the issues mentioned above. They consist of 19 clinical questions and 34 statements. An H. pylori culture from gastric biopsies is recommended, not only as a diagnostic test for active infection but for antimicrobial susceptibility testing to optimize eradication therapy. Based upon antimicrobial susceptibility testing of H. pylori strains (especially involving clarithromycin), an eradication regimen including use of the antibiotics to which H. pylori is susceptible is recommended as the first-line therapy against H. pylori-associated diseases. The guidelines recommend against a "test-and-treat" strategy for H. pylori infection for asymptomatic children to protect against the development of gastric cancer because there has been no evidence supporting this strategy.

Risk factors for recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection after successful eradication in Chinese children: A prospective, nested case-control study

BACKGROUND

Limited research has been published on the recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection and risk factors in Chinese children. Our study aimed to identify risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection recurrence after successful eradication in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective, nested case-control study was performed. A cohort of 230 children with successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Baoding (China) was selected from January 2018 to February 2019. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain socioeconomic details. Eradication regimens and Helicobacter pylori antibiotic susceptibility testing results were also recorded. Interleukin-1β level, interferon-γ level, and genetic susceptibility (IFNGR1 and PTPRZ1 gene polymorphisms) were analyzed. All children were followed for 1 year.

RESULTS

Among 218 (94.8%) children who were successfully followed, 41 children (18.8%) had a Helicobacter pylori infection recurrence. The recurrence rate was higher in children ≤10 years old than >10 years old (22.8% vs 7.1%, P = .01). There was no significant difference between the recurrence group and the non-recurrence group in terms of types of therapy and antibiotic sensitivity (P > .05). Multivariable regression results indicated that residence in urban areas, higher household income, and having lunch at home were significantly protective against recurrence (OR 0.155, 0.408, and 0.351 respectively), whereas Helicobacter pylori infection in family members increased the risk of recurrence (OR 2.283). The levels of IL-1β and IFN-γ exhibited no significant difference between the recurrence group and the non-recurrence group. The allele frequency of G in the IFNGR1-56 site, A in the IFNGR1-600 site, and T in the IFNGR1-565 site was significantly higher in the recurrence group when compared to the non-recurrence group (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The Helicobacter pylori infection recurrence rate is high in children in Baoding region and is closely correlated to socioeconomic factors. The IFNGR1 gene polymorphism may be an independent risk factor for Helicobacter pylori infection recurrence.

Global whole family based-Helicobacter pylori eradication strategy to prevent its related diseases and gastric cancer

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infects approximately 50% of the world population. The multiple gastrointestinal and extra-gastrointestinal diseases caused by H. pylori infection pose a major healthcare threat to families and societies; it is also a heavy economic and healthcare burden for countries that having high infection rates. Eradication of H. pylori is recommended for all infected individuals. Traditionally, “test and treat” and "screen and treat" strategies are available for various infected populations. However, clinical practice has noticed that these strategies have some shortfalls and may need refinement, mostly due to the fact that they are not easily manageable, and are affected by patient compliance, selection of treatment population and cost-benefit estimations. Furthermore, it is difficult to control infections from the source, therefore, development of additional, compensative strategies are encouraged to solve the above problems and facilitate bacteria eradication. H. pylori infection is a family-based disease, but few studies have been performed in a whole family-based approach to curb its intra-familial transmission and the development of related diseases. In this work, a third, novel whole family-based H. pylori eradication strategy is introduced. This approach screens, identifies, treats and follows up on all H. pylori-infected individuals in entire families to control H. pylori infection among family members, and reduce its long-term complications. This strategy is high-risk population-oriented, and able to reduce H. pylori spread among family members. It also has good patient-family compliance and, importantly, is practical for both high and low H. pylori-infected communities. Future efforts in these areas will be critical to initiate and establish healthcare policies and management strategies to reduce H. pylori-induced disease burden for society.

Long-term follow-up of Helicobacter pylori reinfection and its risk factors after initial eradication: a large-scale multicentre, prospective open cohort, observational study

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) recurrence remains a significant public health concern. The study aimed to assess H. pylori reinfection rate and identify its risk factors in China. This prospective open cohort, observational study was performed at 18 hospitals across 15 provinces in China. Consecutive patients who received the successful initial eradication during 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2018 were eligible for enrolment. H. pylori recurrence was defined as reinfection that occurred at more than the 12-month interval after successful initial eradication. Surveyed risk factors that might be associated with reinfection were preliminarily estimated by log-rank test and further determined by Cox regression model to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 5193 subjects enrolled in the study. The follow-up intervals varied from 6 to 84 months with a general follow-up rate of 67.9%. Annual reinfection rate was 1.5% (95% CI: 1.2–1.8) per person-year. H. pylori reinfection was independently associated with the following five risk factors: minority groups (HR = 4.7, 95% CI: 1.6–13.9), the education at lower levels (HR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1–2.6), a family history of gastric cancer (HR = 9.9, 95% CI: 6.6–14.7), and the residence located in Western China (HR = 5.5, 95% CI: 2.6–11.5) following by in Central China (HR = 4.9, 95% CI: 3–8.1) (all P < 0.05). Reinfection rate of H. pylori in China is relatively low. Patients with specific properties of ethnic groups, education level, family history, or residence location appear to be at higher risk for reinfection.

Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection and antibiotic resistance in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and sociodemographic risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection and antibiotic resistance in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 344 patients with dyspeptic symptoms who completed an extended questionnaire were enrolled in the study. Diagnosis of H. pylori infection was made by rapid urease test, histopathological investigation, and culture. Susceptibility of H. pylori strains was assessed by agar dilution (amoxicillin, tetracycline, metronidazole, levofloxacin) and E-test (clarithromycin) methods.

RESULTS

The H. pylori positivity rate was 40.4% (139/344). Logistic regression analysis indicated that age and the presence of duodenal ulcer were independent risk factors associated with H. pylori positivity (odds ratio (OR): 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99, p=0.013; OR: 5.42, 95% CI: 1.96-14.98, p=0.001, respectively). Of 104 H. pylori-positive cultures, 43 strains (41%) were susceptible to all antibiotics, whereas 61 (59%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic. H. pylori resistance rates were 34% for levofloxacin, 31.1% for metronidazole, 28.2% for clarithromycin, 2.9% for amoxicillin, and 1% for tetracycline. Logistic regression analysis indicated that previous use of clarithromycin was the only independent risk factor for H. pylori resistance (OR: 6.25, 95% CI: 1.59-24.52, p=0.009).

CONCLUSION

An understanding of the risk factors for H. pylori positivity and antibiotic resistance in an extended anamnesis may affect treatment choice and facilitate H. pylori eradication. In regions where antibiotic resistance rates are elevated, performing antibiotic susceptibility tests may lead to effective eradication treatment.

Eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori reinfection in Korea: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Guidelines for selecting the eradication regimen for Helicobacter pylori reinfection remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the eradication rate of H. pylori reinfection in patients with a previous infection successfully eradicated with index triple therapy.

METHODS

This was a single-center, retrospective case-control study. A total of 10 468 H. pylori-infected patients treated with proton-pump inhibitor-based triple eradication therapy at a tertiary medical institution between 2005 and 2016 were enrolled. We reviewed the medical records of the enrolled patients and compared the treatment outcomes in those with H. pylori reinfection after a successful eradication.

RESULTS

Helicobacter pylori infection was successfully eradicated with the index triple therapy in 7770 patients (74.2%). Among 3567 patients followed up for > 1 year, H. pylori reinfection occurred in 420 (11.8%; 3.06% per person-year) during a median follow-up of 39.1 months (interquartile range, 23.5-58.7 months). Of these patients, 164 received eradication therapy for reinfection (triple therapy in 102 and quadruple therapy in 62) and had follow-up data. Triple therapy showed an eradication rate of 78.4% for H. pylori reinfection, which was not significantly different from that of the index triple therapy (P = 0.394). Quadruple therapy for reinfection exhibited a better eradication rate (87.1%) than triple therapy but without statistical significance (P = 0.237).

CONCLUSIONS

Retreatment with triple therapy for H. pylori reinfection after successful eradication of prior infection showed comparable outcomes to the index triple therapy. Bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for reinfection tended to have a better eradication rate than did triple therapy.

Helicobacter pylori infection in rehabilitation staff younger than 35 years: Infection surveillance for three years

Background:

Screening for Helicobacter pylori infection is important because of the high risk of gastric cancer development. The H. pylori carrier rate among elderly Japanese patients is still high; therefore, rehabilitation (RH) workers who are in frequent contact with such individuals could be assumed to be at a higher risk of H. pylori infection.

Aim/Objective:

We surveyed RH workers to investigate the initial occurrence of H. pylori infections in adults.

Methods:

Urine samples of RH workers aged < 35 years were screened for H. pylori antibodies to confirm infection. H. pylori infection rates were stratified according to the type of RH work and duration of employment. Infection surveillance was performed at six-month intervals for H. pylori-negative individuals.

Findings/Results:

The H. pylori infection rate among 173 workers was 16.8%. Infection rates were 26.3%, 16.3% and 15.3% among speech, occupational and physiotherapists, respectively. The employment duration was divided into < 24, 24–47, 48–60 and ⩾ 61 months; the respective infection rates were 5.0%, 12.0%, 17.6% and 28.6%. However, no new H. pylori infection was detected in a total of seven surveillance studies of H. pylori-negative workers over a three-year period.

Discussion:

The results of the initial examination showed that the infection rate increased with the duration of employment. However, subsequent surveillance detected no new H. pylori infections.

Rate and predictive factors of Helicobacter pylori recurrence: Analysis of a screening cohort

BACKGROUND/AIM

The aim of the study was to identify the recurrence rate of Helicobacter pylori after successful eradication in an endemic area and investigate baseline and clinical factors related to the recurrence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

H. pylori infected patients from a screening cohort of National Cancer Center between 2007 and 2012 were enrolled in the study. A total of 647 patients who were confirmed to be successfully eradicated were annually followed by screening endoscopy and rapid urease test. Median follow-up interval was 42 months. Annual recurrence rate of H. pylori was identified. Demographics, clinical factors, and endoscopic findings were compared between H. pylori recurrence group and persistently eradicated group (control group).

RESULTS

H. pylori recurrence was observed in 21 (3.25%) patients. Its annual recurrence rate was 0.91% (1.1% in males and 0.59% in females). Mean age was higher in the recurrence group than that in the control group (55.9 vs 50.7, P = 0.006). Median follow-up was shorter in the recurrence group than that in the control group (34 vs. 42.5 months, P = 0.031). In multivariate analysis, OR for H. pylori recurrence was 1.08 per each increase in age (P = 0.012). Adjusted ORs for H. pylori recurrence were 0.20 (95% CI: 0.06-0.69) and 0.25 (95% CI: 0.08-0.76) in age groups of 50-59 years and less than 50 years, respectively, compared to the group aged 60 years or older.

CONCLUSION

H. pylori recurrence rate in Korea is very low after successful eradication. Advanced age is at increased risk for H. pylori recurrence. Thus, H. pylori treatment for patients who are under 60 years of age is more effective, leading to maintenance of successful eradication status.

Cold atmospheric plasma manipulation of proteins in food systems

Plasma processing has been getting a lot of attention in recent applications as a novel, eco-friendly, and highly efficient approach. Cold plasma has mostly been used to reduce microbial counts in foodstuff and biological materials, as well as in different levels of packaging, particularly in cases where there is thermal sensitivity. As it is a very recent application, the impact of cold plasma treatment has been studied on the protein structures of food and pharmaceutical systems, as well as in the packaging industry. Proteins, as a food constituent, play a remarkable role in the techno-functional characteristics of processed foods and/or the physico-chemical properties of protein-based films. At the same time, some proteins are responsible for reduction in quality and nutritional value, and/or causing allergic reactions in the human body. This study is a review of the influences of different types of plasma on the conformation and function of proteins with food origin, especially enzymes and allergens, as well as protein-made packaging films. In enzyme manipulation with plasma, deactivation has been reported to be either partial or complete. In addition, an activity increase has been observed in some cases. These variations are caused by the effect of different active species of plasma on the enzyme structure and its function. The level and type of variations in the functional properties of food proteins, purified proteins in food, and plasma-treated protein films are affected by a number of control factors, including treatment power, time, and gas type, as well as the nature of the substance and the treatment environment.

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.

Low Re-infection Rate of Helicobacter pylori after Successful Eradication in Thailand: A 2 Years Study

Background:

H. pylori is an important cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. Re-infection rates after successful eradication vary in different regions of the world but only limited studies have been performed in ASEAN Countries to clarify this important issue. The present study was designed to evaluate the H. pylori re-infection rate and predictors of re-infection in Thailand.

Methods:

We recruited patients with chronic gastritis after 1 and 2 years successful H. pylori eradication from Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani (Central urban area) and Maesod district, Tak (Northern rural area), Thailand. 13C-UBT was performed to evaluate re-infection status after cessation of PPI, H2 blocker and antibiotics for at least 4 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows Version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).

Results:

A total of 105 subjects were enrolled (40 M and 65F with a mean age of 53.1 years). The overall re-infection rate was 6/105 (5.7%). The 1-year and 2-year H. pylori re-infection rates after successful eradication were only 5.1% (2/39) and 6.1% (4/66). 1-year and 2-year reinfection rates in urban areas were 2/39 (5.1%) and 1/26 (3.8%), while the 2-year reinfection rate in rural areas was 3/40 (7.5%). Location (urban vs rural area) and sex did not show any association with either 1-year or 2-year H. pylori re-infection. With 2-year reinfection, the mean age of H. pylori re-infected patients was significantly higher than those who remained cured (63.0 years vs. 51.6 years, p-value = 0.01). The annual H. pylori infection rate was 2.9%.

Conclusions:

1-year and 2-year H. pylori re-infection rates after successful eradication in Thailand appear low in both rural and urban areas. H. pylori eradication for prevention of significant upper GI disease should be recommended and confirmation of successful eradication should be the aim. Patients at higher risk such as the elderly should be monitored for possible risk of H. pylori re-infection.

Second-line bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication and impact of diabetes

AIM

To investigate Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication rates using second-line bismuth-containing quadruple therapy and to identify predictors of eradication failure.

METHODS

This study included 636 patients who failed first-line triple therapy and received 7 d of bismuth-containing quadruple therapy between January 2005 and December 2015. We retrospectively demonstrated H. pylori eradication rates with respect to the year of therapy as well as demographic and clinical factors. H. pylori eradication was confirmed by a 13C-urea breath test or a rapid urease test at least 4 wk after the completion of bismuth-based quadruple therapy: proton pump inhibitor, metronidazole, bismuth, and tetracycline.

RESULTS

The overall eradication rates by intention-to-treat analysis and per-protocol analysis were 73.9% (95%CI: 70.1%-77.4%) and 94.5% (95%CI: 92.4%-96.5%), respectively. Annual eradication rates from 2005 to 2015 were 100.0%, 92.9%, 100.0%, 100.0%, 100.0%, 97.4%, 100.0%, 93.8%, 84.4%, 98.9%, and 92.5%, respectively, by per-protocol analysis. A multivariate analysis showed that diabetes mellitus (OR = 3.99, 95%CI: 1.56-10.20, P = 0.004) was associated with H. pylori eradication therapy failure.

CONCLUSION

The second-line bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for H. pylori infection is still effective in Korea, and diabetes mellitus is suggested to be a risk factor for eradication failure.

Recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection and the affecting factors: A follow-up study

OBJECTIVE

Recurrence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection weakens the protective effect and long-term prognosis of eradication. With the widespread therapies, decreasing prevalence of H. pylori infection and improvement in living conditions, the recurrence of H. pylori infection may present with new features. We conducted this prospective, large-scale, multicenter follow-up study to determine the recurrence rate of H. pylori infection and its affecting factors.

METHODS

A total of 827 patients receiving successful H. pylori eradication in our previous randomized controlled trial were enrolled. ¹³ C-urea breath test (UBT) was repeated one year after the eradication therapy to determine its recurrence. Moreover, a questionnaire survey was performed to explore the potential factors affecting the recurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 743 patients completed ¹³ C-UBT (follow-up rate 89.8%), and the result was positive in 13 patients one year after eradication therapy, with an annual recurrence rate of 1.75% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81-2.69%). Six hundred and ninety-two patients (13 with recurrence and 679 without recurrence) returned their questionnaires, with a response rate of >80%. Multivariate analysis revealed that peptic ulcer (odds ratio [OR] 3.385, 95% CI 1.016-11.274), close contact with individuals having H. pylori infection (OR 4.231, 95% CI 1.201-14.911), and hospitalization (OR 9.302, 95% CI 2.441-35.440) were independent risk factors of H. pylori infection recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The recurrence of H. pylori infection one year after eradication therapy is low in urban population of China. Peptic ulcer, contact history with individuals having H. pylori infection and hospitalization are risk factors.

Online Registry for Nationwide Database of Current Trend of Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Korea: Interim Analysis

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori using first-line therapy is becoming less effective. Subjects who had been treated for H. pylori infection were prospectively enrolled through an on-line database registry from October 2010 to December 2012. Demographic data, detection methods, treatment indication, regimens, durations, compliance, adverse events, and eradication results for H. pylori infection were collected. Data of 3,700 patients from 34 hospitals were analyzed. The overall eradication rate of the first-line therapy was 73.0%. Eradication failure was significantly associated with old age, concomitant medication, and comorbidity. Regional differences in eradication rates were observed. The most common first-line therapy was proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy (standard triple therapy, STT) for 7 days (86.8%). The eradication rates varied with regimens, being 73% in STT, 81.8% in bismuth-based quadruple therapy, 100% in sequential therapy, and 90.3% in concomitant therapy. The eradication rate in treatment-naïve patients was higher than that in patients previously treated for H. pylori infection (73.8% vs. 58.5%, P < 0.001). The overall eradication rate for second-line therapy was 84.3%. There was no statistical difference in eradication rates among various regimens. H. pylori eradication rate using STT is decreasing in Korea and has become sub-optimal, suggesting the need for alternative regimens to improve the efficacy of first-line therapy for H. pylori infection.

Gastric adenocarcinoma: the role of Helicobacter pylori in pathogenesis and prevention efforts

Gastric cancer is the third most common cause of cancer deaths in the world, prompting high-risk countries like South Korea and Japan to establish nationwide screening programmes. Helicobacter pylori is linked to the majority of gastric adenocarcinoma cases and to the vast majority of non-cardia gastric adenocarcinomas. Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of 'test-and-treat' programmes for H. pylori infection to prevent gastric cancer in high-risk populations. While this strategy has gained momentum, providers in low-risk developed countries may be unaware of the risk individual patients face, particularly those who have emigrated from high-risk regions and members of economically disadvantaged minority groups. Rapidly evolving science in recent years has made it difficult for clinicians to keep up with the current best practices. This article reviews the epidemiology of H. pylori and gastric cancer, screening and diagnostic tests and the current treatment regimens for clinicians.

Recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection after successful eradication

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative, micro-aerobic bacterium that lives in the stomach and duodenum. Infection with H. pylori would cause some diseases such as peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Some H. pylori associated gastric diseases could be prevented by the eradication of H. pylori. However, some people develop recurrence after successful H. pylori eradication. Many factors affect the recurrence such as human development index, treatment for the whole family, standard treatment combined with supragingival scaling, and iatrogenic transmission. This article reviews the recurrence of H. pylori infection after successful treatment.

High rate of Helicobacter pylori reinfection in Lithuanian peptic ulcer patients

AIM: To evaluate the frequency of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) reinfection in peptic ulcer patients during 9 years after H. pylori eradication.

METHODS: We invited 117 peptic ulcer patients in whom eradication of H. pylori was confirmed 1 year after eradication treatment both by histology and by rapid urease test. In total, 57 patients were available for the study procedures: 34 (59.6%) male, 23 (40.4%) female; mean age 52.3 ± 13.0 years. There were 45 (78.9%) patients with duodenal ulcer and 12 (21.1%) with gastric ulcer. H. pylori was diagnosed by a rapid urease test and histology if endoscopy was performed. If endoscopy was refused, H. pylori was diagnosed by the C14-urea breath test and serology. H. pylori was established if at least one of the tests was positive.

RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 8.9 ± 1.0 years (range, 6-12). H. pylori was established in 15 patients. In 2 H. pylori-negative patients, H. pylori was established during the follow-up period and eradicated. Therefore, we consider that reinfection occurred in 17 patients. In the per protocol analysis, reinfection was established in 17 of 57 (29.8%; 95%CI: 19.2-42.2) patients during the follow-up period. The annual rate of infection was 3.36%. If all non-responders were considered H. pylori-negative, reinfection would be 14.5% (17/117), the annual rate being 1.63%. The mean age of patients with reinfection was 51.8 ± 14.0 years, and without reinfection was 52.5 ± 13.0 years, P > 0.05; the mean body mass index of patients with reinfection was 27.2 ± 4.1 kg/m², and without reinfection was 25.7 ± 4.2 kg/m², P > 0.05. There were no differences in the reinfection rates according the location of the peptic ulcer, the eradication regimen used, and smoking status.

CONCLUSION: The reinfection rate of H. pylori is relatively high in Lithuania and probably related to the high prevalence of H. pylori, what may reflect differences in the socioeconomic status between Western and Eastern European countries.

Trends in Helicobacter pylori eradication rates by first-line triple therapy and related factors in eradication therapy

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Trends in successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori using first-line triple therapy, consisting of a proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin, have been understudied. We evaluated H. pylori eradication rates at a single center over the last 10 years and identified risk factors related to eradication failure.

METHODS

This study included 1,413 patients who were diagnosed with H. pylori infection and received 7 days of triple therapy between January 2003 and December 2012. We investigated H. pylori eradication rates retrospectively with respect to the year of therapy, as well as demographic and clinical factors. H. pylori eradication was confirmed by a (13)C-urea breath test or a rapid urease test at least 4 weeks after the completion of triple therapy.

RESULTS

The overall H. pylori eradication rate was 84.9%. Annual eradication rates from 2003 to 2012 were 93.5%, 80.0%, 87.2%, 88.5%, 92.0%, 88.3%, 85.7%, 84.1%, 83.7%, and 78.8%, respectively, by per-protocol analysis. The eradication rate with first-line triple therapy decreased during the last 10 years (p = 0.015). Multivariate analysis showed that female gender (odds ratio [OR], 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 2.55) and smoking (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.47) were associated with the failure of H. pylori eradication therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of first-line triple therapy for H. pylori infection has decreased over the last 10 years, suggesting an increase in antibiotic-resistant H. pylori strains. Thus, other first-line therapies may be necessary for H. pylori eradication in the near future.

An Appropriate Cutoff Value for Determining the Colonization of Helicobacter pylori by the Pyrosequencing Method: Comparison with Conventional Methods

BACKGROUND

Sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene has improved the characterization of microbial communities. It enabled the detection of low abundance gastric Helicobacter pylori sequences even in subjects that were found to be H. pylori negative with conventional methods. The objective of this study was to obtain a cutoff value for H. pylori colonization in gastric mucosa samples by pyrosequencing method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gastric mucosal biopsies were taken from 63 subjects whose H. pylori status was determined by a combination of serology, rapid urease test, culture, and histology. Microbial DNA from mucosal samples was amplified by PCR using universal bacterial primers. 16S rDNA amplicons were pyrosequenced. ROC curve analysis was performed to determine the cutoff value for H. pylori colonization by pyrosequencing. In addition, temporal changes in the stomach microbiota were observed in eight initially H. pylori-positive and eight H. pylori-negative subjects at a single time point 1-8 years later.

RESULTS

Of the 63 subjects, the presence of H. pylori sequences was detected in all (28/28) conventionally H. pylori-positive samples and in 60% (21/35) of H. pylori-negative samples. The average percent of H. pylori reads in each sample was 0.67 ± 1.09% in the H. pylori-negative group. Cutoff value for clinically positive H. pylori status was approximately 1.22% based on ROC curve analysis (AUC = 0.957; p < .001). Helicobacter pylori was successfully eradicated in five of seven treated H. pylori-positive subjects (71.4%), and the percentage of H. pylori reads in these five subjects dropped from 1.3-95.18% to 0-0.16% after eradication.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the cutoff value of H. pylori sequence percentage for H. pylori colonization by pyrosequencing could be set at approximately 1%. It might be helpful to analyze gastric microbiota related to H. pylori sequence status.

The Diagnostic Validity of Citric Acid-Free, High Dose (13)C-Urea Breath Test After Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Korea

BACKGROUND

The (13)C-urea breath test ((13)C-UBT) is a noninvasive method for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. The aims of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic validity of the (13)C-UBT cutoff value and to identify influencing clinical factors responsible for aberrant results.

METHODS

(13)C-UBT (UBiTkit; Otsuka Pharmaceutical, cutoff value: 2.5‰) results in the range 2.0‰ to 10.0‰ after H. pylori eradication therapy were compared with the results of endoscopic biopsy results of the antrum and body. Factors considered to affect test results adversely were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among patients with a positive (13)C-UBT result (2.5‰ to 10.0‰, n = 223) or a negative (13)C-UBT result (2.0‰ to < 2.5‰, n = 66) after H. pylori eradication, 73 patients (34.0%) were false positive, and one (1.5%) was false negative as determined by endoscopic biopsy. The sensitivity, specificity, false-positive rate, and false-negative rate for a cutoff value of 2.5‰ were 99.3%, 47.1%, 52.9%, and 0.7%, respectively, and positive and negative predictive values of the (13)C-UBT were 67.3% and 98.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that a history of two or more previous H. pylori eradication therapies (OR = 2.455, 95%CI = 1.299-4.641) and moderate to severe gastric intestinal metaplasia (OR = 3.359, 95%CI = 1.572-7.178) were associated with a false-positive (13)C-UBT result.

CONCLUSION

The (13)C-UBT cutoff value currently used has poor specificity for confirming H. pylori status after eradication, and this lack of specificity is exacerbated in patients that have undergone multiple prior eradication therapies and in patients with moderate to severe gastric intestinal metaplasia. In addition, the citric-free (13)C-UBT would increase a false-positive (13)C-UBT result.

Inhibitory effects of emodin, baicalin, schizandrin and berberine on hefA gene: treatment of Helicobacter pylori-induced multidrug resistance

AIM

To investigate the inhibitory effects of emodin, baicalin, etc. on the hefA gene of multidrug resistance (MDR) in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

METHODS

The double dilution method was used to screen MDR H. pylori strains and determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of emodin, baicalin, schizandrin, berberine, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, amoxicillin and levofloxacin against H. pylori strains. After the screened MDR stains were treated with emodin, baicalin, schizandrin or berberine at a 1/2 MIC concentration for 48 h, changes in MICs of amoxicillin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, metronidazole and clarithromycin were determined. MDR strains with reduced MICs of amoxicillin were selected to detect the hefA mRNA expression by real-time quantitative PCR.

RESULTS

A total of four MDR H. pylori strains were screened. Treatment with emodin, baicalin, schizandrin and berberine significantly decreased the MICs of amoxicillin and tetracycline against some strains, decreased by 1 to 2 times, but did not significantly change the MICs of clarithromycin, levofloxacin, and metronidazole against MDR strains. In the majority of strains with reduced MICs of amoxicillin, hefA mRNA expression was decreased; one-way ANOVA (SPSS 12.0) used for comparative analysis, P < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

Emodin, baicalin, schizandrin and berberine significantly decreased the MICs of amoxicillin and tetracycline against some H. pylori strains, possibly by mechanisms associated with decreasing hefA mRNA expression.

Is There Any Advantage of Treating Partners in Helicobacter pylori Eradication?

Aim. We designed this trial to find answers to the following questions. (1) Does the success rate decrease in a country where HP prevalence is high? (2) Can we provide benefit by simultaneously treating the partners of infected patients? Materials and Methods. The first group consisted of 102 HP-positive patients, and both the patients and their HP-positive partners were treated. The second group consisted of 104 HP-positive patients whose partners were HP-positive but only the patients were treated. The participants in both groups were treated with levofloxacin 500 mg daily, amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d, and lansoprazole 30 mg b.i.d (LAL) for ten days. Results. In the per-protocol analysis, the eradication success rate was found to be 92.2% (94/8) in the first group and 90.4% (94/10) in the second group. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions. With regard to the HP eradication rate, no difference was found between treating the HP-positive partners of HP-positive patients simultaneously and not treating them simultaneously. According to these results, we can say that reinfections between partners do not significantly contribute to the failure of eradication.

The diagnostic validity of the (13)c-urea breath test in the gastrectomized patients: single tertiary center retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic validity of the (13)C-urea breath test ((13)C-UBT) in the remnant stomach after partial gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

METHODS

The (13)C-UBT results after Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy was compared with the results of endoscopic biopsy-based methods in the patients who have received partial gastrectomy for the gastric cancer.

RESULTS

Among the gastrectomized patients who showed the positive (13)C-UBT results (≥ 2.5‰, n = 47) and negative (13)C-UBT results (< 2.5‰, n = 114) after H. pylori eradication, 26 patients (16.1%) and 4 patients (2.5%) were found to show false positive and false negative results based on biopsy-based methods, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, false positive rate, and false negative rate for the cut-off value of 2.5‰ were 84.0%, 80.9%, 19.1%, and 16.0%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 44.7% and 96.5%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, two or more H. pylori eradication therapies (odds ratio = 3.248, 95% confidence interval= 1.088-9.695, P = 0.035) was associated with a false positive result of the (13)C-UBT.

CONCLUSIONS

After partial gastrectomy, a discordant result was shown in the positive (13)C-UBT results compared to the endoscopic biopsy methods for confirming the H. pylori status after eradication. Additional endoscopic biopsy-based H. pylori tests would be helpful to avoid unnecessary treatment for H. pylori eradication in these cases.

[New guidelines for Helicobacter pylori treatment: comparisons between Korea and Japan]

Korea and Japan show the highest incidence of gastric cancer and Helicobacter pylori infection. New 2013 guidelines on H. pylori infection differ between the two countries with regard to the indications for H. pylori eradication, diagnostic methods, and treatment regimens. Indications for eradication in Korean guideline focus on specific diseases such as peptic ulcer disease, low-grade gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and after resection of early gastric cancer, while Japanese guideline includes all H. pylori-associated gastritis for the prevention of dissemination. With regard to the diagnosis, either noninvasive or invasive method (except for bacterial culture) is recommended in Korea, while two noninvasive tests including serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibody level are preferred in Japan. As for the treatment regimens, second-line treatment (quadruple bismuth-containing regimen) is recommended without first-line triple therapy in areas of high clarithromycin resistance in Korea. However, there is no bismuth-based second-line treatment in Japan, and the Japanese regimen consists of a lower dose of antibiotics for a shorter duration (7 days). Such discrepancies between the two countries are based not only on the differences in the literature search and interpretation, but also on the different approvals granted by the national health insurance system, manufacturing process of the antibiotics, and diagnostic techniques in each country. Collaborations are required to minimize the discrepancies between the two countries based on cost-effectiveness.

Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection

Medline and PubMed databases were searched on epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori for the period of April 2013-March 2014. Several studies have shown that the prevalence of H. pylori is still high in most countries. In north European and North American populations, about one-third of adults are still infected, whereas in south and east Europe, South America, and Asia, the prevalence of H. pylori is often higher than 50%. H. pylori remains highly prevalent in immigrants coming from countries with high prevalence of H. pylori. However, the lower prevalence of infection in the younger generations suggests a further decline of H. pylori prevalence in the coming decades. Low socioeconomic conditions in childhood are confirmed to be the most important risk factors for H. pylori infection. Although the way the infection is transmitted is still unclear, interpersonal transmission appears to be the main route. Finally, H. pylori recurrence after successful eradication can still occur, but seems to be an infrequent event.

Reinfection after successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori in three different populations in Alaska

We performed a study to determine rates of reinfection in three groups followed for 2 years after successful treatment: American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons living in urban (group 1) and rural (group 2) communities, and urban Alaska non-Native persons (group 3). We enrolled adults diagnosed with H. pylori infection based on a positive urea breath test (13C-UBT). After successful treatment was documented at 2 months, we tested each patient by 13C-UBT at 4, 6, 12 and 24 months. At each visit, participants were asked about medication use, illnesses and risk factors for reinfection. We followed 229 persons for 2 years or until they became reinfected. H. pylori reinfection occurred in 36 persons; cumulative reinfection rates were 14·5%, 22·1%, and 12·0% for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Study participants who became reinfected were more likely to have peptic ulcer disease (P = 0·02), low education level (P = 0·04), or have a higher proportion of household members infected with H. pylori compared to participants who did not become reinfected (P = 0·03). Among all three groups, reinfection occurred at rates higher than those reported for other US populations (<5% at 2 years); rural AI/AN individuals appear to be at highest risk for reinfection.

[Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in Korea, 2013 revised edition]

Since the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research has first developed the guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in 1998, the revised guideline was proposed in 2009 by the same group. Although the revised guideline was made by comprehensive review of previous articles and consensus of authoritative expert opinions, the evidence-based developmental process was not applied in the revision of the guideline. This new guideline has been revised especially in terms of changes in the indication and treatment of H. pylori infection in Korea, and developed by the adaptation process as evidence-based method; 6 guidelines were retrieved by systematic review and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II process, 21 statements were made with grading system and revised by modified Delphi method. After revision, 11 statements for the indication of test and treatment, 4 statements for the diagnosis and 4 statements for the treatment have been developed, respectively. The revised guideline has been reviewed by external experts before the official endorsement, and will be disseminated for usual clinical practice in Korea. Also, the scheduled update and revision of the guideline will be made periodically.

Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in Korea, 2013 revised edition

The Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research first developed guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in 1998, and revised guidelines were proposed in 2009 by the same group. Although the revised guidelines were based on a comprehensive review of published articles and the consensus of expert opinions, the revised guidelines were not developed using an evidence-based process. The new guidelines presented in this study include specific changes regarding indication and treatment of H. pylori infection in Korea, and were developed through the adaptation process using an evidence-based approach. After systematic review of the literature, six guidelines were selected using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II process. A total of 21 statements were proposed with the grading system and revised using the modified Delphi method. After the guideline revisions, 11 statements about indication of test and treatment, four statements about diagnosis, and four statements about treatment of H. pylori infection were developed. The revised guidelines were reviewed by external experts before receiving official endorsement from the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research, and disseminated to physicians and other medical professionals for use in clinical practice in Korea. The guidelines will continue to be updated and revised periodically.

Helicobacter pylori recurrence after first- and second-line eradication therapy in Korea: the problem of recrudescence or reinfection

BACKGROUND

Recurrence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the result of either recrudescence or reinfection. Annual recurrence rates per patient-year of follow-up have been reported to vary across countries. The aim of this study was to analyze recurrence rates of H. pylori after first-line and second-line eradication therapies in Korea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2007 to 2010, 2691 patients with H. pylori infection received first-line therapy and 573 patients who failed to respond to first-line therapy received second-line therapy. H. pylori infection and the success of eradication were assessed by endoscopic biopsy and rapid urease test or (13) C-urea breath test. All patients were advised to undergo (13) C-urea breath test or esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy or rapid urease test 6 months after eradication, with annual follow-up thereafter.

RESULTS

The eradication rate of the first-line therapy was 79.9% (1283/1605) and that of the second-line therapy was 90.4% (394/436) by per protocol analysis. Annual recurrence rates sharply declined after 2-year follow-up. Annual recurrence rates within and after 2-year follow-up were 9.3 and 2.0% after first-line therapy and those of second-line therapy were 4.5 and 2.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Annual recurrence rates of H. pylori showed a sharp decline after 2-year follow-up after eradication in Korean adults, which is not higher than that of Western countries. Enough time interval after treatment (i.e., 2 years) is necessary to confirm eradication, and it would not be easy to distinguish between recurrence and recrudescence before 2 years without identifying H. pylori strains.

Current progress toward eradicating Helicobacter pylori in East Asian countries: Differences in the 2013 revised guidelines between China, Japan, and South Korea

New 2013 guidelines on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection have been published in China, Japan, and South Korea. Like the previous ones, these new guidelines differ between the three countries with regard to the indications for H. pylori eradication, diagnostic methods, and treatment regimens. The most profound change among all of the guidelines is that the Japanese national health insurance system now covers the expenses for all infected subjects up to second-line treatment. This makes the Japanese indications for eradication much wider than those in China and South Korea. With regard to the diagnosis, a serum H. pylori antibody test is not recommended in China, whereas it is considered to be the most reliable method in Japan. A decrease relative to the initial antibody titer of more than 50% after 6-12 mo is considered to be the most accurate method for determining successful eradication in Japan. In contrast, only the urea breath test is recommended after eradication in China, while either noninvasive or invasive methods (except the bacterial culture) are recommended in South Korea. Due to the increased rate of antibiotics resistance, first-line treatment is omitted in China and South Korea in cases of clarithromycin resistance. Notably, the Japanese regimen consists of a lower dose of antibiotics for a shorter duration (7 d) than in the other countries. There is neither 14 d nor bismuth-based regimen in the first-line and second-line treatment in Japan. Such differences among countries might be due to differences in the approvals granted by the governments and national health insurance system in each country. Further studies are required to achieve the best results in the diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori infection based on cost-effectiveness in East Asian countries.

Long-term follow up Helicobacter Pylori reinfection rate after second-line treatment: bismuth-containing quadruple therapy versus moxifloxacin-based triple therapy

BACKGROUND

The increasing trend of antibiotic resistance requires effective second-line Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) treatment in high prevalence area of H. pylori. The aim of our study was to evaluate the reinfection rate of H. pylori after second-line treatment that would determine the long-term follow up effect of the rescue therapy.

METHODS

A total of 648 patients who had failed previous H. pylori eradication on standard triple therapy were randomized into two regimens: 1, esomeprazole (20 mg b.i.d), tripotassium dicitrate bismuthate (300 mg q.i.d), metronidazole (500 mg t.i.d), and tetracycline (500 mg q.i.d) (EBMT) or 2, moxifloxacin (400 mg q.d.), esomeprazole (20 mg b.i.d), and amoxicillin (1000 mg b.i.d.) (MEA). At four weeks after completion of eradication therapy, H. pylori tests were performed with 13C urea breath test or invasive tests. In patients who maintained continuous H. pylori negativity for the first year after eradication therapy, H. pylori status was assessed every year. For the evaluation of risk factors of reinfection, gender, age, clinical diagnosis, histological atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia were analyzed.

RESULTS

The recrudescence rate of the EBMT was 1.7% and of the MEA group 3.3% (p = 0.67). The annual reinfection rate of H. pylori of EBMT was found to be 4.45% and the MEA group 6.46%. Univariate analysis (Log-rank test) showed no association with any clinical risk factor for reinfection.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term reinfection rate of H. pylori stayed low in both of bismuth-containing quadruple therapy and moxifloxacin-based triple therapy; thus reinfection cannot affect the choice of second-line treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trial Registration Number NCT01792700.

Randomised clinical trial: the effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication on glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia after subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori eradication is recommended for early gastric cancer (GC) patients after resection.

AIM

To evaluate whether H. pylori eradication improves glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia (IM) in GC patients undergoing subtotal gastrectomy.

METHODS

This randomised, double-blind trial was performed in tertiary care setting. Distal GC patients with H. pylori infection were randomised to receive proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy or placebo. The histology was evaluated using the updated Sydney system before and at 36 months after surgery. The endpoints were the comparison of atrophy and IM score changes between the allocated groups and according to final H. pylori status.

RESULTS

Overall, 190 patients were randomised to the treatment and placebo groups. For lesser curvature of the corpus, mean atrophy and IM scores did not differ between the treatment and placebo groups. However, the H. pylori-eradicated patients had significantly lower mean scores than the H. pylori-persistent patients regarding atrophy (0.55 ± 0.95 vs. 1.05 ± 1.10 respectively; P = 0.0046) and IM (0.66 ± 0.99 vs. 1.05 ± 1.16 respectively; P = 0.0284). The percentage change from baseline was more marked in the H. pylori-negative than in the H. pylori-positive groups (-58.6% vs. -11.0% for atrophy and -60.5% vs. -35.6% for IM respectively). For greater curvature, mean atrophy score was lower in the H. pylori-negative group than in the H. pylori-positive group (0.14 ± 0.50 vs. 0.41 ± 0.75 respectively; P = 0.0281). The percentage change was -36.4% vs. 86.3%.

CONCLUSION

Helicobacter pylori eradication in GC patients is beneficial, as reflected by lower scores of atrophy and IM at 36 months after subtotal gastrectomy. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01002443).