Susceptibility-guided therapy for Helicobacter pylori-infected penicillin-allergic patients: A prospective clinical trial of first-line and rescue therapies

Role of compliance in Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment: Results of the European Registry on H. pylori management

BACKGROUND

Adherence to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication treatment is a cornerstone for achieving adequate treatment efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

To determine which factors influence compliance with treatment.

METHODS

A systematic prospective non-interventional registry (Hp-EuReg) of the clinical practice of European gastroenterologists. Compliance was considered adequate if ≥90% drug intake. Data were collected until September 2021 using the AEG-REDCap e-CRF and were subjected to quality control. Modified intention-to-treat analyses were performed. Multivariate analysis carried out the factors associated with the effectiveness of treatment and compliance.

RESULTS

Compliance was inadequate in 646 (1.7%) of 38,698 patients. The non-compliance rate was higher in patients prescribed longer regimens (10-, 14-days) and rescue treatments, patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia/functional dyspepsia, and patients reporting adverse effects. Prevalence of non-adherence was lower for first-line treatment than for rescue treatment (1.5% vs. 2.2%; p < 0.001). Differences in non-adherence in the three most frequent first-line treatments were shown: 1.1% with proton pump inhibitor + clarithromycin + amoxicillin; 2.3% with proton pump inhibitor clarithromycin amoxicillin metronidazole; and 1.8% with bismuth quadruple therapy. These treatments were significantly more effective in compliant than in non-compliant patients: 86% versus 44%, 90% versus 71%, and 93% versus 64%, respectively (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the variable most significantly associated with higher effectiveness was adequate compliance (odds ratio, 6.3 [95%CI, 5.2-7.7]; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compliance with Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment is very good. Factors associated with poor compliance include uninvestigated/functional dyspepsia, rescue-treatment, prolonged treatment regimens, the presence of adverse events, and the use of non-bismuth sequential and concomitant treatment. Adequate treatment compliance was the variable most closely associated with successful eradication.

Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance profile in Chinese children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms and a literature review for developing personalized eradicating strategies

Background: H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) infections typically occur in early childhood. Although the prevalence of H. pylori in children is lower than that in adults, the eradication rate of this infection in children is relatively low because of resistance. In this study, we analyzed personalized treatment strategies to achieve treatment goals based on H. pylori resistance characteristics. This retrospective single-center study was conducted between January 2019 and December 2022 and enrolled 1,587 children who presented with upper gastrointestinal symptoms and underwent endoscopy. H. pylori culturing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed. Results: Culture-positive results for H. pylori were obtained in 535 children. The resistance rates to clarithromycin (CLA), metronidazole (MET), and levofloxacin (LEV) were 39.8%, 78.1%, and 20.2%, respectively. None of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline (TET), amoxicillin (AMO), or furazolidone (FZD). Double resistance rates to CLA + MET, CLA + LEV, and MET + LEV were 19.1%, 3.0%, and 5.8%, respectively. Notably, triple-resistant to CLA + MET + LEV was 9.7%. Based on susceptibility tests, individualized triple therapy [proton pump inhibitor (PPI) +AMO + CLA/MET] was selected for 380 children with H. pylori sensitive to MET and/or CLA. In 155 children resistant to CLA and MET, bismuth-based quadruple therapy was recommended; for unable to receive bismuth, concomitant therapy was recommended for 14 children (<8 years of age); triple therapy with TET was recommended for 141 children (>8 years of age), with 43 children (>14 years of age) requiring FZD rather than TET. Conclusion: Resistance to H. pylori in Chinese children was relatively poor. Personalized therapy regimens should be based on susceptibility tests and avoided factors associated with treatment failure.

A Vonoprazan, Clarithromycin, and Metronidazole Regimen as Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy for Patients with Penicillin Allergy in Light of Clarithromycin Resistance

Objective Vonoprazan (VPZ), clarithromycin (CAM), metronidazole (MNZ) and VPZ, MNZ, and sitafloxacin (STFX) regimen are all established Helicobacter pylori eradication therapies for patients with penicillin allergy in Japan. However, no study has assessed the efficacy of a VPZ, CAM, and MNZ (VCM) regimen in patients with clarithromycin resistance (CAM-R). We therefore assessed the efficacy of a VCM regimen for treating H. pylori infection in patients with CAM-R and penicillin allergy. Methods Fifty-three patients with penicillin allergy who received H. pylori eradication therapy were retrospectively analyzed. Eight patients received a 7-day proton-pump inhibitor, CAM, and MNZ (PCM) regimen; 35 patients [11 CAM-R, and 10 with clarithromycin sensitivity (CAM-S)] received 7-day VCM regimens; and 10 patients received 7-day VPZ, MNZ, and STFX (VMS) regimens. A 13C-urea breath test was used to determine eradication. The efficacy of eradication was evaluated via both intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses. Results According to ITT and PP analyses, eradication rates (ERs) with PCM, VCM, and VMS therapies were 50.0% and 50.0%, 94.3% and 100%, and 90% and 90%, respectively. Treatment was successful in all patients with CAM-S. For patients with CAM-R, treatment was successful in 10 patients, and 1 patient discontinued treatment owing to an adverse event. According to ITT and PP analyses, ERs were 90.9% and 100% in CAM-R, and were 100% and 100% in CAM-S, respectively. Conclusion The VCM regimen for H. pylori eradication may be a viable candidate therapy for patients with penicillin allergy, regardless of CAM-R.

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Patients with Penicillin Allergy

Helicobacter pylori is among the prevalent causes of infections worldwide, and its resistance rate to antibiotics has been rising over time. Amoxicillin is the cornerstone for the treatment regimen. However, the prevalence of penicillin allergy ranges from 4% to 15%. In patients with true allergy, Vonoprazan-Clarithromycin-Metronidazole and bismuth quadruple therapy have demonstrated excellent eradication and high adherence rates. Vonoprazan-based therapy is administered less frequently and may be better tolerated than bismuth quadruple therapy. Therefore, vonoprazan-based therapy may be considered as a first-line therapy if accessible. Bismuth quadruple therapy can be used as the initial therapy when vonoprazan is unavailable. Levofloxacin or sitafloxacin-based regimens achieve a moderately high eradication rate. However, these are associated with potentially serious adverse effects and should only be used when other effective and safer regimens are unavailable. Cephalosporins such as cefuroxime have been used as an alternative to amoxicillin. Microbial susceptibility studies can guide the selection of appropriate antibiotics. PPI-Clarithromycin-Metronidazole fails to achieve a high eradication rate and should be used as a second-line therapy. PPI-Clarithromycin-Rifabutin should not be used because of low eradication rate and frequent adverse reactions. The choice of the most effective antibiotic regimen can enhance clinical outcomes in patients with H. pylori infection and penicillin allergy.

Treatment of refractory Helicobacter pylori infection: A new challenge for clinicians

Patients who have failed two or more attempts to eradicate Helicobacter pylori are commonly referred to as refractory. Although the incidence of refractory Helicobacter pylori infection is only 10–20%, with the increasing rate of antibiotic resistance in various regions, the treatment of refractory Helicobacter pylori infection has gradually become a difficult problem faced by clinicians. When choosing a rescue therapy, the physician must consider numerous factors. A longer treatment duration, higher doses of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), or the use of potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) may increase the efficacy of triple therapy or bismuth quadruple therapy. Rescue treatment based on bismuth quadruple therapy usually achieves better results. At the same time, treatment based on drug susceptibility tests or genotypic resistance is recommended where available. Of course, appropriate empiric treatment can also be selected according to local drug resistance, a patient’s previous medication history and compliance. It is the best choice if it can improve the success rate of the first treatment and reduce the occurrence of refractory Helicobacter pylori infection. This review aims to summarize the articles related to refractory Helicobacter pylori in recent years and to explore a better remedial treatment plan for clinicians.

Antibiotics Resistance Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Strains in Northwest China

Purpose

This study aims to estimate the resistance rate of Helicobacter pylori (HP) to commonly used antibiotics and analyze the potential influencing factors in northwest regions of China.

Patients and Methods

HP-positive patients visiting the outpatient department of multiple hospitals were enrolled in the study. Then, gastric mucosal biopsy specimens were collected for HP isolation, culture, and investigation of the resistance rate of HP to amoxicillin, metronidazole, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and clarithromycin by Epsilometer test (E-test) antibiotic susceptibility testing. In addition, multi-drug resistance, the influence of HP eradication history, age, and region of residence on drug resistance rate were analyzed.

Results

In total, 198 HP clinical strains were successfully isolated and cultured. The resistance rates of amoxicillin, metronidazole, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and clarithromycin were 16.16%, 85.86%, 7.58%, 46.46%, and 55.05%, respectively. The multi-drug resistance rates demonstrated that dual and triple resistances were 30.30% and 22.73%, respectively. The quadruple resistance rate reached 9.60%. Our results revealed that the prior eradication history of HP significantly increased levofloxacin and clarithromycin resistance. Metronidazole and levofloxacin resistances significantly differed among different age groups, which presented an upward trend with increasing age. Drug resistance rates varied with geographic regions, especially amoxicillin and clarithromycin resistance, which were highest in Hexi Corridor and Longnan regions.

Conclusion

The current situation of HP resistance to common antibiotics is severe. Tetracycline is the most sensitive antibiotic, followed by amoxicillin, the first choice for HP eradication. However, the eradication failure of HP may lead to an increase in the resistance rate. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the standardized diagnosis and treatment of HP to improve the primary eradication rate.

Primary Antibiotic Resistance of Helicobacter pylori in Different Regions of China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Aim: Understanding the prevalence of antibiotic resistance can provide reliable information for selecting treatment options. The goal of this meta-analysis was to observe the primary antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in different regions and time periods of China. Method: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese Biomedical databases and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure from inception to 20 February 2022. Data on the prevalence of H. pylori primary resistance at various time points were included. A random-effect model was established to calculate the pooled antibiotic resistance. Results: In total, 2150 articles were searched, with 70 meeting the inclusion criteria. The resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin amoxicillin, tetracycline and furazolidone in 2016–2020 were 34% (95% CI: 30–39%), 78% (95% CI: 73–84%), 35% (95% CI: 30–40%), 3% (95% CI: 1–5%), 2% (95%CI: 1–4%) and 1% (95% CI: 0–4%), respectively. Clarithromycin showed regional difference, as the resistance was higher in northern (37%, 95% CI: 32–41%) and western China (35%, 95% CI: 17–54%) than that in southern (24%, 95% CI: 17–32%) and eastern China (24%, 95% CI: 20–28%). Conclusion: The resistance of H. pylori to clarithromycin and metronidazole was high and increased over time, whereas resistance to levofloxacin, amoxicillin, tetracycline and furazolidone remained stable.

Susceptibility testing alone will not reliably achieve high Helicobacter pylori cure rates: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Not all the susceptibility-guided therapies for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection achieve excellent eradication rates. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the optimal regimen for H. pylori treatment based on antibiotic susceptibility.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in multiple databases. Studies reporting eradication rates of H. pylori with susceptibility-guided therapies were selected. Meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the pooled eradication rate among the treatment regimens.

RESULTS

Forty-eight eligible studies with 101 susceptibility-guided treatment arms were included. The overall eradication rate in patients harboring susceptible strains was 95.0% (95% CI, 94.1-95.9%), but only 63.4% of treatment arms (64/101) achieved good eradication rates (≥ 90%). Pooled eradication rates in patients with susceptible strains were: 93.4% (95% CI, 92.0-94.8%) for clarithromycin, 99.0% (95% CI, 98.1-100%) for nitroimidazoles and 95.4% (95% CI, 93.6-97.2%) for fluoroquinolones. Among the arms using a triple therapy, 66.7% (28/42) using clarithromycin, 84.2% (16/19) using nitroimidazoles and 70.8% (17/24) using fluoroquinolones achieved good (≥ 90%) eradication rates. Of 13 arms using sequential therapy, ≥ 90% eradication was achieved in 14.3% (1/7) using clarithromycin, 25.0% (1/4) using nitroimidazoles and both arms (2/2) using fluoroquinolones.

CONCLUSIONS

Susceptibility testing alone seemed insufficient to reliably attain high H. pylori cure rates. The eradication rate in patients with nitroimidazoles susceptible strains was higher than those of fluoroquinolones and clarithromycin.

E-Test or Agar Dilution for Metronidazole Susceptibility Testing of Helicobacter pylori: Importance of the Prevalence of Metronidazole Resistance

Background

A number of studies have shown that E-test overestimated the presence of Helicobacter pylori resistance compared to agar dilution.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore whether E-test could be an alternative for agar dilution to detect the metronidazole susceptibility of H. pylori.

Method

E-test and agar dilution were used to assess the susceptibility of H. pylori to metronidazole, clarithromycin, and levofloxacin in 281 clinical isolates obtained from China where the resistance was high. Cohen’s kappa analysis, McNemar’s test, and essential and categorical agreement analysis were performed for these two methods.

Results

Overall, the result of the E-test showed a similar prevalence of resistance rate to all antibiotics compared with agar dilution. The essential agreement of the E-test method and agar dilution in the evaluation susceptibility of H. pylori to clarithromycin and levofloxacin was moderate at 89.0 and 79.7%, respectively, but only 45.9% for metronidazole. The results shown by a categorical agreement (CA) between the E-test and agar dilution were 100% for both clarithromycin and levofloxacin. As for metronidazole, the CA was 98.7%, no major error was identified, and the rate of a very major error was 1.8%.

Conclusion

E-test can be an alternative method to detect the metronidazole susceptibility of H. pylori.

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.

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in the presence of penicillin allergy

Therapy of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) requires a combination of antibiotics together with an acid suppressing agent; most treatment regimens include Amoxicillin as one of the antibiotics, which is an important constituent as resistance to it is low. However, allergies to the penicillin group of antibiotics are not uncommon, and treating H.pylori infection in such individuals can be challenging due to the restricted choice of regimens. The aim of this review is to summarise the evidence for therapeutic options in patients with H.pylori infection and penicillin allergy. A literature search was conducted in PubMed for English language publications using the key words ‘Helicobacter’ and ‘treatment’ or ‘therapy‘ and ‘penicillin’ or ‘beta-lactam’ and ‘allergy’ or ‘anaphylaxis’. Eighteen studies were identified that specifically evaluated H.pylori treatment success in penicillin allergic patients. The number of subjects in most of them was low and many were retrospective, uncontrolled, single cohort studies. The most effective option for first-line treatment appears to be Bismuth-based quadruple therapy for 10-14 d. The evidence supports second-line treatment with Levoflaxacin-based triple therapy for 10 d. Patients with persistent H.pylori infection after 2 treatment courses should be considered for testing to confirm penicillin allergy. Further treatment should be guided by the results of H.pylori culture and sensitivity testing.

Comparison of Culture With Antibiogram to Next-Generation Sequencing Using Bacterial Isolates and Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Gastric Biopsies

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The decline in Helicobacter pylori cure rates emphasizes the need for readily available methods to determine antimicrobial susceptibility. Our aim was to compare targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) and culture-based H pylori susceptibility testing using clinical isolates and paired formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) gastric biopsies.

METHODS

H pylori isolates and FFPE tissues were tested for susceptibility to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, tetracycline, and rifabutin using agar dilution and NGS targeted to 23S rRNA, gyrA, 16S rRNA, pbp1, rpoB and rdxA. Agreement was quantified using κ statistics.

RESULTS

Paired comparisons included 170 isolates and FFPE tissue for amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, and rifabutin and 57 isolates and FFPE tissue for levofloxacin and tetracycline. Agreement between agar dilution and NGS from culture isolates was very good for clarithromycin (κ = 0.90012), good for levofloxacin (κ = 0.78161) and fair for metronidazole (κ = 0.55880), and amoxicillin (κ = 0.21400). Only 1 isolate was resistant to tetracycline (culture) and 1 to rifabutin (NGS). Comparison of NGS from tissue blocks and agar dilution from isolates from the same stomachs demonstrated good accuracy to predict resistance for clarithromycin (94.1%), amoxicillin (95.9%), metronidazole (77%), levofloxacin (87.7%), and tetracycline (98.2%). Lack of resistance precluded comparisons for tetracycline and rifabutin.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with agar dilution, NGS reliably determined resistance to clarithromycin, levofloxacin, rifabutin, and tetracycline from clinical isolates and formalin-fixed gastric tissue. Consistency was fair for metronidazole and amoxicillin. Culture-based testing can predict treatment outcomes with clarithromycin and levofloxacin. Studies are needed to compare the relative ability of both methods to predict treatment outcomes for other antibiotics.

Efficacy and safety of bismuth-containing quadruple treatment and concomitant treatment for first-line Helicobacter pylori eradication: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Bismuth-containing quadruple treatment (BQT) and concomitant treatment (CT) were recommended as alternative first-line treatments of Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori). A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the cure rates and compare efficacy and safety of BQT and CT for H. Pylori eradication. PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched on June 16, 2020. Meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis, and subgroup analysis were conducted by Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 11.0. Ten studies were collected. We found no difference of cure rate between BQT and CT in intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (84.6% vs. 82.9%, OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.94-1.38; P = 0.19) and marginally statistical difference in per-protocol (PP) analysis (92.4% vs 90.1%, OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.00-1.73; P = 0.05). Based on the results of subgroup analyses, we found statistical difference of eradication rate between BQT and CT (amoxicillin + clarithromycin + metronidazole + PPI treatment) according to PP analysis (94.3% vs. 91.5%, OR = 1.49, 95% CI:1.03-2.15; P = 0.03) and marginally statistical difference according to ITT analysis (87.5% vs. 84.6%, OR = 1.28, 95% CI:1.00-1.65; P = 0.05). BQT and CT may be both good treatment options for H. pylori infection. However, BQT was superior to current scheme of CT (amoxicillin + clarithromycin + metronidazole + PPI treatment) in subgroup analysis. It is very necessary to choose tailored therapy as an outstanding way to reduce the impact of antibiotic.

Best Helicobacter pylori Eradication Strategy in the Era of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is the major reason for Helicobacter pylori treatment failure, and the increasing frequency of antibiotic resistance is a challenge for clinicians. Resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole is a particular problem. The standard triple therapy (proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin) is no longer appropriate as the first-line treatment in most areas. Recent guidelines for the treatment of H. pylori infection recommend a quadruple regimen (bismuth or non-bismuth) as the first-line therapy. This treatment strategy is effective for areas with high resistance to clarithromycin or metronidazole, but the resistance rate inevitably increases as a result of prolonged therapy with multiple antibiotics. Novel potassium-competitive acid blocker-based therapy may be effective, but the data are limited. Tailored therapy based on antimicrobial susceptibility test results is ideal. This review discussed the current important regimens for H. pylori treatment and the optimum H. pylori eradication strategy.