Empirical or susceptibility-guided treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection? A comprehensive review

Change in Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection in the Treatment-Failure Era

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a prevalent global health issue, associated with several gastrointestinal disorders, including gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. The landscape of H. pylori treatment has evolved over the years, with increasing challenges due to antibiotic resistance and treatment failure. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as the urea breath test, stool antigen test, and endoscopy with biopsy, are commonly used in clinical practice. However, the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains has led to a decline in treatment efficacy, necessitating a re-evaluation of common diagnostic tools. This narrative review aims to explore the possible changes in the diagnostic approach of H. pylori infection in the era of treatment failure. Molecular techniques, including polymerase chain reaction and whole genome sequencing, which have high sensitivity and specificity, allow the detection of genes associated with antibiotic resistance. On the other hand, culture isolation and a phenotypic antibiogram could be used in the diagnostic routine, although H. pylori is a fastidious bacterium. However, new molecular approaches are promising tools for detecting the pathogen and its resistance genes. In this regard, more real-life studies are needed to reveal new diagnostic tools suitable for identifying multidrug-resistant H. pylori strains and for outlining proper treatment.

Detection of Clarithromycin Resistance in Helicobacter pylori Using MmaxSure™ H. pylori & ClaR Assay

INTRODUCTION

Clarithromycin resistance is a crucial factor in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of MmaxSure™ H. pylori & ClaR Assay (MmaxSure™) in the diagnosis and detection of clarithromycin resistance in H. pylori.

METHODS

Subjects who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy between April 2020 and October 2022 were enrolled. The diagnostic performances of MmaxSure™ and dual priming oligonucleotide (DPO)-based multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were compared with the rapid urease test and culture. Secondary gene sequencing analysis was performed in discordant cases of PCR tests.

RESULTS

A total of 156 gastric biopsy samples were analyzed. In H. pylori detection, MmaxSure™ showed a 95.9% sensitivity (95% CI: 90.6-98.6), a 42.7% specificity (95% CI: 26.3-60.7), and a kappa value of 0.457. For the detection of A2143G mutation samples, MmaxSure™ showed a 91.2% sensitivity (95% CI: 76.3-98.1), a 93.4% specificity (95% CI: 87.5-97.1), and a kappa value of 0.804. There were a total of 10 discordant cases compared to gene sequencing in A2143G mutation detection for MmaxSure™.

CONCLUSION

In this study, MmaxSure™ showed comparable diagnostic performance to DPO-PCR in the detection of the H. pylori and A2143G mutation. Further research is needed to confirm the clinical effectiveness of the MmaxSure™ assay in H. pylori eradication.

14-day tailored PCR-guided triple therapy versus 14-day non-Bismuth concomitant quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: A multicenter, open-label randomized noninferiority controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The systematic use of susceptibility testing and tailored first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori eradication has yet to be established.

AIM

To compare 14-day tailored PCR-guided triple therapy to 14-day non-Bismuth concomitant quadruple therapy for first-line Helicobacter pylori eradication.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a multicenter, parallel-group, randomized noninferiority controlled trial. Naive adult patients with Helicobacter pylori infection were treated with 14-day tailored PCR-guided triple therapy (esomeprazole 40 mg and amoxicillin 1000 mg b.d. plus clarithromycin 500 mg or levofloxacin 500 mg b.d. according to clarithromycin susceptibility) or 14-day non-Bismuth concomitant quadruple therapy (esomeprazole 40 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, and metronidazole 500 mg b.d.). The primary endpoint was H. pylori eradication.

RESULTS

We screened 991 patients for eligibility and randomized 241 patients. The first-line eradication rate was 99.2% in the tailored PCR-guided group and 95.9% in the control group (ITT population; absolute difference of +3.30%, with a lower bound of CI at -0.68%). Both first-line therapies were well tolerated, with a formally significant difference in favor of the tailored PCR-guided group (61.4% vs. 41.2%, p = 0.003). Economic analyses revealed a lower cost of the tailored PCR-guided arm, with a 92% chance of being jointly more effective and less expensive than the control arm in the ITT population.

CONCLUSION

In a country with a high level of clarithromycin resistance, the results of our study demonstrated the noninferiority of 14-day tailored PCR-guided triple therapy as a first-line H. pylori eradication therapy compared to 14-day non-Bismuth quadruple therapy (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02576236).

Current paradigms in the management of refractory Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori is the most prevalent chronic bacterial infection, with approximately half of the world's population estimated to be colonized. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Helicobacter pylori as a class-I carcinogen. All main society guidelines recommend its eradication in infected individuals. The global trend indicates that eradication rates are decreasing annually and the likelihood of eradication decreases with each unsuccessful therapeutic attempt. Resistance to antibiotics in H. pylori strains is the leading cause for eradication failure. Still, drug resistance and treatment failure may be complex, multi-dimensional and associated with several other factors. Knowledge of these factors can aid in optimizing eradication rates. This review will focus on the factors associated with refractory H. pylori, with a particular emphasis on antibiotic resistance mechanisms and their clinical implications. Also, the most recent literature and recommendations available for determining an appropriate regimen after the failure of the first attempt at eradication will be discussed.

Efficacy and safety of a 14-day modified concomitant therapy for refractory Helicobacter pylori infection: a pilot study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

After three treatment failures, Helicobacter pylori infection is deemed refractory as antibiotic treatment options become significantly limited. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a 14-day modified concomitant therapy for managing refractory H. pylori infection.

METHODS

Patients who had failed to respond to three or more rounds of H. pylori therapies were recruited for this study. They received a 14-day modified concomitant therapy, including esomeprazole 40 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and furazolidone 100 mg twice daily and tetracycline 500 mg four times daily. Demographic data, adverse events, and patient compliance were recorded. The presence of H. pylori was reevaluated 6 weeks following treatment. Eradication rate was assessed as the primary outcome.

RESULTS

Overall, 59 participants received the 14-day modified concomitant therapy. In the intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses, the eradication rate was 84.7% (50/59) and 89.3% (50/56), respectively. H. pylori was successfully isolated from 75.0% (12/16) of patients. The resistance rate of H. pylori to metronidazole, levofloxacin, and clarithromycin was 91.7% (11/12), 58.3% (7/12), and 50.0% (6/12), respectively. Resistance to amoxicillin, furazolidone, or tetracycline was not observed. The frequency of adverse events was 35.6% (21/59), with no serious adverse events reported.

CONCLUSION

The 14-day modified concomitant therapy appears to be appropriate for refractory H. pylori infection and is particularly promising for the Chinese population. A randomized controlled trial is warranted to verify its efficacy, especially in the current environment of increasing antibiotic resistance.

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

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

Drug-Resistant Helicobacter pylori: Diagnosis and Evidence-Based Approach

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most common chronic bacterial infection, affecting approximately half of the world's population. H. pylori is a Class I carcinogen according to the World Health Organization, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has linked it to 90% of stomach cancer cases worldwide. The overall pattern points to a yearly reduction in eradication rates of H. pylori with the likelihood of success further decreasing after each unsuccessful therapeutic effort. Antimicrobial resistance in Helicobacter pylori is a major public health concern and is a predominant cause attributed to eradication failure. As a result, determining H. pylori's antibiotic susceptibility prior to the administration of eradication regimens becomes increasingly critical. Detecting H. pylori and its antimicrobial resistance has traditionally been accomplished by time-consuming culture and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing. The resistance of H. pylori to different antibiotics is caused by various molecular mechanisms, and advances in sequencing technology have greatly facilitated the testing of antibiotic susceptibility to H. pylori. This review will summarize H. pylori antibiotic resistance patterns, mechanisms, and clinical implications. We will also review the pros and cons of current antibiotic susceptibility testing methods. Along with a comparison of tailored susceptibility-guided regimens and empirical therapy based on the latest evidence, an evidence-based approach to such situations will be explored.

Antibiotic Resistance, Susceptibility Testing and Stewardship in Helicobacter pylori Infection

Despite the declining trend of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) prevalence around the globe, ongoing efforts are still needed to optimize current and future regimens in view of the increasing antibiotic resistance. The resistance of H. pylori to different antibiotics is caused by different molecular mechanisms, and advancements in sequencing technology have come a far way in broadening our understanding and in facilitating the testing of antibiotic susceptibility to H. pylori. In this literature review, we give an overview of the molecular mechanisms behind resistance, as well as discuss and compare different antibiotic susceptibility tests based on the latest research. We also discuss the principles of antibiotic stewardship and compare the performance of empirical therapies based on up-to-date resistance patterns and susceptibility-guided therapies in providing effective H. pylori treatment. Studies and clinical guidelines should ensure that the treatment being tested or recommended can reliably achieve a pre-agreed acceptable level of eradication rate and take into account the variations in antibiotic resistance across populations. Local, regional and international organizations must work together to establish routine antibiotic susceptibility surveillance programs and enforce antibiotic stewardship in the treatment of H. pylori, so that it can be managed in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Advances in the pharmacological and regulatory management of multidrug resistant Helicobacter pylori

INTRODUCTION

Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) hampers the success of eradication and in recent years multidrug resistance (MDR) shows an increase worldwide.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers current aspects of pharmacological and regulatory management of MDR-resistant H. pylori infection.

EXPERT OPINION

MDR H. pylori is increasing worldwide and its prevalence varies both between continents and countries. High consumption and misuse of antibiotics, H. pylori treatment failures and bacterial factors such as mutations, efflux pumps and biofilms are among the factors associated with MDR. Important steps for confronting the rise of MDR H. pylori strains should follow the principles of antibiotic stewardship, i.e. eradication regimens should be optimized with regard to all aspects of therapy, including drugs, doses, formulation, frequency of administration, administration in relation to meals and duration of therapy that reliably achieve at least 90% (preferably >95%) cure rates in adherent patients with susceptible infections.

Helicobacter pylori Diagnostic Tests Used in Europe: Results of over 34,000 Patients from the European Registry on Helicobacter pylori Management

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Several methods are available to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection. Our objective was to evaluate the tests used for both the initial diagnosis and the confirmation of eradication after treatment in Europe.

METHODS

The European Registry on the management of Helicobacter pylori infection is an international, multicentre, prospective, non-interventional registry aiming to evaluate the management of Helicobacter pylori-infected patients in Europe. Countries with at least 100 cases registered from June 2013 to April 2021, and with a validated diagnostic method were analysed. Data were quality reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 34,920 adult patients from 20 countries were included (mean age 51 years; 61% women). To establish the initial diagnosis, invasive tests were performed in 19,801 (71%) patients, non-invasive in 11,369 (41%), and both in 3437 (12%). The most frequent were histology (n = 11,885; 43%), a rapid urease test (n = 10,636; 38%) and an urea breath test (n = 7577; 27%). According to the age, invasive tests were indicated in 11,179 (77%) ≥50 years, and in 8603 (65%) <50 years. Depending on the country, the use of invasive tests ranged from 29-99% in <50 years to 60-99% in ≥50. Most of the tests used to confirm eradication were non-invasive (n = 32,540; 93%), with the urea breath test being the most frequent (n = 32,540; 78%). In 2983 (9%) post-treatment tests, histology (n = 1887; 5%) or a rapid urease test (n = 1223; 4%) were performed.

CONCLUSION

A great heterogeneity was observed for the initial diagnosis and confirmation of the eradication. The reasons for the apparent lack of adherence to the clinical guidelines should be further explored.

Helicobacter pylori Diagnostic Tests Used in Europe: Results of over 34,000 Patients from the European Registry on Helicobacter pylori Management

Background and aims: Several methods are available to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection. Our objective was to evaluate the tests used for both the initial diagnosis and the confirmation of eradication after treatment in Europe. Methods: The European Registry on the management of Helicobacter pylori infection is an international, multicentre, prospective, non-interventional registry aiming to evaluate the management of Helicobacter pylori-infected patients in Europe. Countries with at least 100 cases registered from June 2013 to April 2021, and with a validated diagnostic method were analysed. Data were quality reviewed. Results: A total of 34,920 adult patients from 20 countries were included (mean age 51 years; 61% women). To establish the initial diagnosis, invasive tests were performed in 19,801 (71%) patients, non-invasive in 11,369 (41%), and both in 3437 (12%). The most frequent were histology (n = 11,885; 43%), a rapid urease test (n = 10,636; 38%) and an urea breath test (n = 7577; 27%). According to the age, invasive tests were indicated in 11,179 (77%) ≥50 years, and in 8603 (65%) <50 years. Depending on the country, the use of invasive tests ranged from 29–99% in <50 years to 60–99% in ≥50. Most of the tests used to confirm eradication were non-invasive (n = 32,540; 93%), with the urea breath test being the most frequent (n = 32,540; 78%). In 2983 (9%) post-treatment tests, histology (n = 1887; 5%) or a rapid urease test (n = 1223; 4%) were performed. Conclusion: A great heterogeneity was observed for the initial diagnosis and confirmation of the eradication. The reasons for the apparent lack of adherence to the clinical guidelines should be further explored.

Susceptibility-guided sequential strategy versus empirical therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

New treatment strategies are required against infections caused by Helicobacter pylori, which grows increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Polymerase chain reaction-based methods for antibiotic susceptibility testing are available for detecting H. pylori-specific mutations that confer resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin. Several meta-analyses have compared eradication rates for susceptibility-guided versus empirical therapy for H. pylori treatment; however, all have significant limitations and high heterogeneity, and the results are contradictory. The main objective of this trial is to assess whether a sequential strategy based on molecular susceptibility testing-guided therapy for H. pylori has a better eradication rate than empirical therapy.

METHODS

This trial is designed as a prospective, randomised, open-label, active-controlled and single-centre study. Men and women who are H. pylori-positive, naïve to treatment, and aged 18-65 years will be recruited. A total of 500 participants will be randomised to receive either empirical therapy or a susceptibility-guided sequential strategy. Bismuth quadruple therapy will be the empirical first-line therapy, and in case of failure, high-dose dual (proton-pump inhibitor + amoxicillin) treatment will be the rescue therapy. For the susceptibility-guided sequential strategy, regimen selection will be based on H. pylori susceptibility to clarithromycin (first-line) and levofloxacin (rescue). A first-line treatment of clarithromycin triple therapy will be selected for clarithromycin-sensitive strains. For clarithromycin resistance, a high-dose dual therapy will be selected. During the rescue treatment, a levofloxacin quadruple regimen will be selected for levofloxacin-sensitive strains, and a furazolidone quadruple regimen will be selected for others. The primary outcome is the first-line eradication rate in both groups, and the overall (including first and rescue therapies) H. pylori eradication rate in both groups is one of the secondary outcomes. The eradication rates of H. pylori will be analysed by intention-to-treat analysis, modified intention-to-treat analysis, and per-protocol analysis.

DISCUSSION

This randomised controlled trial will provide objective and valid evidence about the value of polymerase chain reaction-based molecular methods for antibiotic susceptibility testing in guiding H. pylori eradication.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05549115. Released on 18 September 2022. First posted on 22 September 2022. Enrolment of the first participant on 20 September 2022. The study is retrospectively registered.

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

BACKGROUND

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

AIM

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

METHODS

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSION

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

Quantitative multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Helicobacter pylori and clarithromycin resistance

BACKGROUND

Identifying clarithromycin resistance is essential for eradicating Helicobacter pylori (HP). Therefore, we evaluated the performance of Allplex™ H.pylori & ClariR Assay (Allplex™) for diagnosing and detecting clarithromycin resistance in HP.

METHODS

Subjects who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy between April 2020 and August 2021 at Incheon St. Mary's hospital were enrolled in this study. The diagnostic performances of Allplex™ and dual priming oligonucleotide (DPO)-based multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were compared with sequencing as the gold standard.

RESULTS

A total of 142 gastric biopsy samples were analyzed. Gene sequencing revealed 124 HP infections, 42 A2143G mutations, 2 A2142G mutations, one dual mutation, and no A2142C mutation. DPO-PCR showed 96.0% sensitivity and 100.0% specificity for HP detection; the corresponding rates for Allplex™ were 99.2% and 100.0%. DPO-PCR showed 88.3% sensitivity and 82.0% specificity for A2143G mutation, and Allplex™ showed 97.6% and 96.0%. The Cohen's Kappa coefficient for overall test results was 0.56 for DPO-PCR and 0.95 for Allplex™.

CONCLUSION

Allplex™ showed comparable diagnostic performance with direct gene sequencing and non-inferior diagnostic performance to DPO-PCR. Further research is required to confirm whether Allplex™ is an effective diagnostic tool for the eradication of HP.

Management of dyspepsia and Helicobacter pylori infection: the 2022 Indonesian Consensus Report

Dyspepsia still becomes a major challenge in upper gastrointestinal disease in Indonesia. This disease often correlated with Helicobacter pylori infection. However, the prevalence of this bacterium is generally low in Indonesia. Therefore, several considerations should be taken into consideration during the management of dyspepsia and H. pylori infection. "Management of dyspepsia and H. pylori infection in Indonesia: The Indonesian consensus report" comprises information gathered from 22 gastroenterology centers across Indonesia. The experts gathered to evolve a consensus, that consists of the statements, grades of recommendations, evidence levels, and rationales for the dyspepsia and H. pylori infection management for daily clinical practice. The report explains several aspects from the updated epidemiology information to comprehensive management therapy. After the experts worked together on all statements in the recommendations, the results are presented with the final agreement as a consensus to help clinicians in understanding, diagnosing, and treating dyspepsia and H. pylori infection patients in daily clinical practice in Indonesia.

Rescue therapy for refractory Helicobacter pylori infection: current status and future concepts

Helicobacter pylori infection is an important issue worldwide, and several guidelines have been published for clinicians to achieve successful eradication. However, there are still some patients who remain infected with H. pylori after treatment. Clinicians should identify the reasons that caused treatment failure and find strategies to manage them. We have searched and organized the literature and developed methods to overcome factors that contribute to prior treatment failure, such as poor compliance, inadequate intragastric acid suppression, and antibiotic resistance. To improve compliance, telemedicine or smartphone applications might play a role in the modern world by increasing doctor-patient relationships, while concomitant probiotics could be administered to reduce adverse effects and enhance adherence. For better acid suppression, high-potency and high-dose proton-pump inhibitors or potassium-competitive acid blockers have preferable efficacy. To overcome antibiotic resistance, susceptibility tests either by culture or by genotyping are the most commonly used methods and have been suggested for antibiotic selection before rescue therapy, but empirical therapy according to detailed medical history could be an alternative. Eradication with a longer treatment period (14 days) has a better outcome than shorter period (7 or 10 days). Ultimately, clinicians should select antibiotics based on the patient's history of drug allergy, previous antibiotic exposure, local antibiotic resistance, available medications, and cost. In addition, identifying patients with a high risk of cancer and shared decision-making are also essential for those who have experienced eradication failure.

Intraluminal Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infection—Comparison of Medicament Containing Tetracycline, Metronidazole, and Bismuth versus Amoxicillin, Metronidazole, and Clarithromycin: A Randomized Controlled Study

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can be eradicated immediately via local application of single-dose medicament on endoscopic examination. In our previous report, “the eradication rate of intraluminal therapy for H. pylori infection (ILTHPI) is 53.7% (51/95) using medicament containing amoxicillin, metronidazole, and clarithromycin”. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of medicament containing tetracycline, metronidazole, and bismuth and to improve the efficacy of stomach acid control before ILTHPI. After usage of dexlansoprazole (60 mg b.i.d.) or vonoprazan (20 mg q.d.) for 3 days before ILTHPI, 103 of 104 (99.1%) symptomatic H. pylori-infected treatment-naïve patients achieved levels of stomach pH ≥ 6. Patients were randomized to receive ILTHPI with medicaments containing tetracycline, metronidazole, and bismuth (Group A, n = 52) or amoxicillin, metronidazole, and clarithromycin (Group B, n = 52). The eradication rate of ILTHPI was similar between Group A (76.5%; 39/51) and Group B (84.6%, 44/52) (p = 0.427) and the adverse event was mild diarrhea (2.9%; 3/104). The eradication rate significantly increased from 53.7% (51/95) to 84.6% (44/52) after acid control (p = 0.0004) for Group B patients. The overall eradication rates of successful ILTHPI plus 7-day non-bismuth (Group A) or 7-day bismuth (Group B) oral quadruple therapy for ILTHPI failure patients were both excellent (96.1% for Group A and 98.1% for Group B).

[Effectiveness of empirical Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy with furazolidone in Russia: results from the European Registry on Helicobacter pylori Management (Hp-EuReg)]

BACKGROUND

First-line therapy does not always provide a high level of Helicobacter pylori eradication due to the increase of H. pylori resistance to antibiotics; therefore, it remains necessary to identify the most effective rescue treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of empirical H. pylori furazolidone-containing regimens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adult H. pylori infected patients empirically treated with furazolidone-containing eradication regimens were registered in an international, prospective, multicenter non-intervention European registry on H. pylori management (Hp-EuReg). Data were collected at AEG-REDCap e-CRF from 2013 to 2021 and the quality was reviewed. Modified intention-to-treat (mITT) effectiveness analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Overall 106 patients received empirical furazolidone-containing therapy in Russia. Furazolidone was prescribed in a sequential scheme along with amoxicillin, clarithromycin and a proton pump inhibitor in 68 (64%) cases, triple regimens were prescribed in 28 (26%) patients and quadruple regimens in 10 (9.4%). Treatment duration of 7 days was assigned to 2 (1.9%) patients, 10-day eradication therapy in case of 80 (75%) and 14 days - in 24 (23%) patients. Furazolidone was mainly used in first- (79%) and second-line (21%) regimens. The methods used to diagnose H. pylori infection were: histology (81%), stool antigen test (64%), ¹³C-urea breath test (6.6%), and rapid urease test (1.9%). The mITT effectiveness of sequential therapy was 100%; 93% with the triple therapy and 75.5% with quadruple therapy. Compliance was reported in 98% of cases. Adverse events were revealed in 5.7% of patients, mostly nausea (3.8%). No serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

Furazolidone containing eradication regimens appear to be an effective and safe empirical therapy in Russia.

A Malaysian consensus report on the diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections in humans and responsible for 90% of duodenal ulcers and 70-90% of gastric ulcers. Despite this, many misconceptions regarding the appropriate diagnostic method and treatment strategies still exist in the Malaysian clinical practice. Under the initiative of the steering committee, an expert panel consisting of nine key opinion leaders in the field of gastroenterology convened to develop a set of consensus statements that are relevant to the Malaysian healthcare practice. The panel members reviewed the current evidence on the management of H. pylori infection, focusing on the best practices that are relevant to the Malaysian population based on clinical experience and published clinical evidence. Using the modified Delphi method, the panel achieved consensus in three areas of H. pylori infection management: indications for testing, diagnosis, and treatment. The panel proposed a set of 19 consensus statements, which were synthesized via two rounds of blinded voting and group discussions. The recommendations provided are relevant to the Malaysian population and can be used as a guide by physicians across various healthcare settings to facilitate appropriate diagnostic testing and treatment of H. pylori infection.

In Search for Reasons behind Helicobacter pylori Eradication Failure–Assessment of the Antibiotics Resistance Rate and Co-Existence of Helicobacter pylori with Candida Species

Helicobacter pylori eradication is characterized by decreasing successful eradication rates. Although treatment failure is primarily associated with resistance to antibiotics, other unknown factors may influence the eradication outcome. This study aimed to assess the presence of the antibiotics resistance genes in H. pylori and the presence of Candida spp., which are proposed to be endosymbiotic hosts of H. pylori, in gastric biopsies of H. pylori-positive patients while simultaneously assessing their relationship. The detection and identification of Candida yeasts and the detection of mutations specific for clarithromycin and fluoroquinolones were performed by using the real-time PCR (RT-PCR) method on DNA extracted from 110 gastric biopsy samples of H. pylori-positive participants. Resistance rate to clarithromycin and fluoroquinolone was 52% and 47%, respectively. Antibiotic resistance was associated with more eradication attempts (p < 0.05). Candida species were detected in nine (8.18%) patients. Candida presence was associated with older age (p < 0.05). A high rate of antibiotic resistance was observed, while Candida presence was scarce, suggesting that endosymbiosis between H. pylori and Candida may not be a major contributing factor to the eradication failure. However, the older age favored Candida gastric mucosa colonization, which could contribute to gastric pathologies and microbiome dysbiosis.

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of Carvacrol, Amoxicillin and Salicylhydroxamic Acid Alone and in Combination vs. Helicobacter pylori: Towards a New Multi-Targeted Therapy

The World Health Organization has indicated Helicobacter pylori as a high-priority pathogen whose infections urgently require an update of the antibacterial treatments pipeline. Recently, bacterial ureases and carbonic anhydrases (CAs) were found to represent valuable pharmacological targets to inhibit bacterial growth. Hence, we explored the underexploited possibility of developing a multiple-targeted anti-H. pylori therapy by assessing the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of a CA inhibitor, carvacrol (CAR), amoxicillin (AMX) and a urease inhibitor (SHA), alone and in combination. Minimal Inhibitory (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal (MBC) Concentrations of their different combinations were evaluated by checkerboard assay and three different methods were employed to assess their capability to eradicate H. pylori biofilm. Through Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis, the mechanism of action of the three compounds alone and together was determined. Interestingly, most combinations were found to strongly inhibit H. pylori growth, resulting in an additive FIC index for both CAR-AMX and CAR-SHA associations, while an indifferent value was recorded for the AMX-SHA association. Greater antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy of the combinations CAR-AMX, SHA-AMX and CAR-SHA against H. pylori were found with respect to the same compounds used alone, thereby representing an innovative and promising strategy to counteract H. pylori infections.

A "new" option in Helicobacter pylori eradication: High-dose amoxicillin dual therapy outperforms bismuth quadruple therapy in a high dual resistance setting

BACKGROUND

Currently, bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) is indicated as a first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori eradication in areas with high dual metronidazole and clarithromycin resistance, with its use being limited by its low tolerability and significant cost. A novel regimen with high-dose amoxicillin dual therapy (HDADT) has emerged as an alternative. The aim of this study was to compare the results of these two treatments on HP eradication.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective randomized study including 100 consecutive patients undergoing H. pylori eradication. Each patient was randomized (in a 1:1 ratio) to one group of treatment: BQT (bismuth 140 mg + metronidazole 125 mg + tetracycline 125 mg, four times a day, for 10 days) or HDADT (amoxicillin 1000 mg alternating with amoxicillin 500 mg, four times a day, for 14 days), both associated with esomeprazole 40 mg twice a day. The primary aim was to compare treatments' efficacies. Secondary aims were to assess symptoms persistence and tolerability.

RESULTS

A total of 100 patients were included, 54% women, with a mean age of 55 ± 14 years. From these, five were lost to follow-up. Effective eradication proven by negative stool antigen test was significantly higher in patients randomized to HDADT when compared to BQT for both intention-to-treat (ITT) (96.2% vs. 81.4%; p = .022) and per-protocol (PP) (95.9% vs. 81%; p = .025) analysis. These differences were even more pronounced when only considering second line treatment (100% vs. 62.5%; p = .028). Side effects did not differ significantly between BQT and HDADT groups for both ITT (7.0% vs. 2.0%; p = .254) and PP (4.8% vs. 0%; p = .210) analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

When compared to BQT, treatment with HDADT presented higher and near 100% efficacy in eradicating H. pylori, without differences in reported side effects or compliance. This treatment represents an important alternative for populations with increasing incidences of resistance to the currently recommended antibiotic regimens.

How widespread and convenient H. pylori susceptibility testing will result in pharmacological opportunities

INTRODUCTION

Until recently, antimicrobial therapy for Helicobacter pylori infections was almost universally empirical and based on a combination of expert opinion and local effectiveness. However, the new requirement that all therapeutic regimens reliably achieve high cure rates, the introduction of potassium competitive acid blockers and the availability of susceptibility testing many pharmacological opportunities particularly since all current therapies will require optimization. The ability to rapidly and inexpensively obtain H. pylori susceptibility data using stool samples makes obtaining susceptibility data practical and allows using susceptibility-based therapy routinely for both treatment-naïve patient and treatment failures.

AREAS COVERED

We searched the literature from 1990 to current to identify studies reporting the effect of susceptibility testing on H. pylori treatment. This review examines how widespread and convenient H. pylori susceptibility testing will result in pharmacological opportunities. . Many pharmacological opportunities will emanate from a renewal of efforts to develop, propagate, confirm, and update best practices based on local and regional susceptibility/resistance patterns.

EXPERT OPINION

The ability to evaluate treatment decisions and outcomes in susceptible infections and reliably achieve high cure rates should foster precise tailoring of pharmacologic therapy and should achieve the goals of high cure rates while preventing antimicrobial misuse and extending the useful life of current antibiotics.

Effectiveness of first and second-line empirical treatment in Italy: Results of the European registry on Helicobacter pylori management

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The optimal management of naïve and not naïve Helicobacter pylori patients remains unclear. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate whether the actual clinical practice mirrors the indications suggested by the guidelines. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and the safety of the empirical first- and second-line treatments prescribed to patients enroled at Italian centres participating in the European Registry on H. pylori Management (Hp-EuReg).

METHODS

The Hp-EuReg is an international multicentre prospective non-interventional registry starting in 2013 aiming to evaluate the management of H. pylori infection by European gastroenterologists. Patients were registered in an e-CRF by AEG-REDCap. Variables assessed included demographics, previous eradication attempts, treatment regimen, effectiveness, and tolerance.

RESULTS

Overall, 3723 patients from 2013 to February 2021 were included: 2996 and 727 received an empirical first- and second-line treatment, respectively. According to the modified ITT analysis, among the first-line regimens, only the bismuth quadruple therapy with three-in-one-single capsule (BQT-TSC), the concomitant, and the sequential treatment - all lasting 10 days - achieved an eradication rate >90%. Among the second-line regimens, only the 10-day BQT-TSC reported an effectiveness >90%. High-dose PPI twice daily also significantly increased the effectiveness of some therapies. The BQT-TSC was the regimen with the highest incidence of adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Only quadruple therapies lasting at least 10 days achieved over 90% eradication rates among the empirical first- and second-line regimens. It remains unclear whether high-dose PPI twice daily can improve the efficacy of quadruple treatment.

Clinical Implications of Helicobacter pylori Antibiotic Resistance in Italy: A Review of the Literature

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) resistance to antibiotics has increased worldwide in recent decades, especially to clarithromycin. As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori as a "high priority" pathogen in 2017. As international guidelines recommend empirical therapy as first-line treatment, it is crucial to know local resistance rates and history of antibiotic use to determine the most appropriate first-line antibiotic treatment. Italy is one of the European countries with the highest prevalence of H. pylori infection and the highest percentage of antibiotic-resistant H. pylori. The aim of this review is to summarize all data on H. pylori antibiotic resistance in Italy in order to quantify the current rate and determine the most effective therapeutic approach. The study confirms an elevated level of resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin in Italy. In addition, our results show a satisfactory eradication rate for a bismuth-based regimen when used as first- or second-line treatment. Naive patients are also successfully treated with clarithromycin-based quadruple therapies. Considering the good results of bismuth-based therapy as recovery therapy, this argues for the potential use of clarithromycin quadruple therapy as a first-line treatment.

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.

Empirical Second-Line Therapy in 5000 Patients of the European Registry on Helicobacter pylori Management (Hp-EuReg)

BACKGROUND & AIMS

After a first Helicobacter pylori eradication attempt, approximately 20% of patients will remain infected. The aim of the current study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of second-line empiric treatment in Europe.

METHODS

This international, multicenter, prospective, non-interventional registry aimed to evaluate the decisions and outcomes of H pylori management by European gastroenterologists. All infected adult cases with a previous eradication treatment attempt were registered with the Spanish Association of Gastroenterology-Research Electronic Data Capture until February 2021. Patients allergic to penicillin and those who received susceptibility-guided therapy were excluded. Data monitoring was performed to ensure data quality.

RESULTS

Overall, 5055 patients received empiric second-line treatment. Triple therapy with amoxicillin and levofloxacin was prescribed most commonly (33%). The overall effectiveness was 82% by modified intention-to-treat analysis and 83% in the per-protocol population. After failure of first-line clarithromycin-containing treatment, optimal eradication (&gt;90%) was obtained with moxifloxacin-containing triple therapy or levofloxacin-containing quadruple therapy (with bismuth). In patients receiving triple therapy containing levofloxacin or moxifloxacin, and levofloxacin-bismuth quadruple treatment, cure rates were optimized with 14-day regimens using high doses of proton pump inhibitors. However, 3-in-1 single capsule or levofloxacin-bismuth quadruple therapy produced reliable eradication rates regardless of proton pump inhibitor dose, duration of therapy, or previous first-line treatment. The overall incidence of adverse events was 28%, and most (85%) were mild. Three patients developed serious adverse events (0.3%) requiring hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

Empiric second-line regimens including 14-day quinolone triple therapies, 14-day levofloxacin-bismuth quadruple therapy, 14-day tetracycline-bismuth classic quadruple therapy, and 10-day bismuth quadruple therapy (as a single capsule) provided optimal effectiveness. However, many other second-line treatments evaluated reported low eradication rates. ClincialTrials.gov number: NCT02328131.

Effect of metronidazole resistance on Helicobacter pylori eradication regimens

OBJECTIVES

Guidelines suggest bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BQT) or concomitant therapy (CT) as first-line therapy in our geographic area. Both schedules contain metronidazole. We aimed to evaluate the effect of metronidazole resistance to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy.

METHODS

We recruited treatment-naïve subjects with H. pylori infection who received either CT or BQT during January 2020 and December 2021. Before therapy, a fecal sample was collected using the THD fecal test device from each patient. H. pylori DNA was extracted and mutations of rdxA and frxA genes and A2143G for metronidazole and clarithromycin resistance were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction with a high-resolution melting curve.

RESULTS

Ninety-six patients were enrolled, including 29 received BQT and 67 received CT. The overall eradication rate was 94.8% (100% for BQT and 92.5% for CT). Metronidazole resistance was found in 18 (18.8%) subjects, while clarithromycin resistance was found in 19 (19.8%). All 18 patients with metronidazole resistance achieved successful eradication (five treated with BQT and 13 with CT). The eradication rate in metronidazole-sensitive strains was 93.6%. Of these, 24 received BQT with 100% success, and 54 had CT with five failures (successful eradication in 90.7%). Two patients with treatment failure were resistant to clarithromycin, and the remaining three were susceptible to both clarithromycin and metronidazole. No statistical significance was observed in the eradication rate between metronidazole-resistant and -sensitive strains (100% vs 93.6%, P = 0.58).

CONCLUSION

Metronidazole resistance does not influence the eradication rate of BQT and CT regimens in our geographical area, even if such results need to confirmed in a larger sample.

Management of Helicobacter pylori infection: the Maastricht VI/Florence consensus report

Helicobacter pyloriInfection is formally recognised as an infectious disease, an entity that is now included in the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision. This in principle leads to the recommendation that all infected patients should receive treatment. In the context of the wide clinical spectrum associated with Helicobacter pylori gastritis, specific issues persist and require regular updates for optimised management.The identification of distinct clinical scenarios, proper testing and adoption of effective strategies for prevention of gastric cancer and other complications are addressed. H. pylori treatment is challenged by the continuously rising antibiotic resistance and demands for susceptibility testing with consideration of novel molecular technologies and careful selection of first line and rescue therapies. The role of H. pylori and antibiotic therapies and their impact on the gut microbiota are also considered.Progress made in the management of H. pylori infection is covered in the present sixth edition of the Maastricht/Florence 2021 Consensus Report, key aspects related to the clinical role of H. pylori infection were re-evaluated and updated. Forty-one experts from 29 countries representing a global community, examined the new data related to H. pylori infection in five working groups: (1) indications/associations, (2) diagnosis, (3) treatment, (4) prevention/gastric cancer and (5) H. pylori and the gut microbiota. The results of the individual working groups were presented for a final consensus voting that included all participants. Recommendations are provided on the basis of the best available evidence and relevance to the management of H. pylori infection in various clinical fields.

The changing profile of Helicobacter pylori primary antibiotic resistance in Singapore over two decades

Objectives

Antibiotic resistance is a key reason for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) treatment failure and updated local data are important to guide the choice of empiric first‐line therapy. Clarithromycin‐based triple therapy (TT) is currently the first‐line treatment in Singapore. Our primary aim was to determine the change in pattern of primary antibiotic resistance of H. pylori in Singapore as well as TT success rate.

Methods

A registry of H. pylori isolates was tested for primary antibiotic resistance and were analyzed from year 2001 to 2020. Treatment outcome data based on 13C‐urea breath test (13C‐UBT) results of empiric first‐line 2‐week TT from 2019 to 2020 were also analyzed retrospectively.

Results

A total of 387 H. pylori isolates were included. Rates of resistance to clarithromycin as well as tetracycline showed a downtrend in the last 5 years (clarithromycin: 2001–2002: 8.57%; 2007–2008: 14.14%; 2013–2014: 18.09%; 2019–2020: 13.71%; tetracycline: 2001–2002: 5.71%; 2007–2008: 7.07%; 2013–2014: 7.45%; 2019–2020: 0%). The resistance rate for amoxicillin remained low (2001–2002: 2.86%; 2007–2008: 5.05%; 2013–2014: 4.26%; 2019–2020: 7.26%). There was a steady increase in the rate of levofloxacin resistance (2001–2002: 5.71%; 2007–2008: 11.11%; 2013–2014: 15.96%; 2019–2020: 16.94%). From 2019 to 2020, the rate of successful TT was 91.67% (891/972).

Conclusion

The latest rate of clarithromycin resistance in 2019 to 2020 remained below the threshold of 15% and eradication rates remain high; thus, TT remains appropriate as an empiric first‐line treatment in Singapore.

Current guidelines for Helicobacter pylori treatment in East Asia 2022: Differences among China, Japan, and South Korea

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is highly prevalent in East Asia. The overall seroprevalence rate of H. pylori infection is 44.2% in China, 37.6%-43.2% in Japan, and 51.0% in South Korea. H. pylori can cause peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. East Asian countries have high rates of gastric cancer (age-standardized incidence rate: 20-30 per 100000). The Kyoto global consensus report emphasized that H. pylori gastritis should be considered the main cause for the development of gastric cancer. H. pylori treatment guidelines in China, Japan, and South Korea have recently been revised according to data from each of those countries. However, emerging antibiotic resistance is an important barrier to H. pylori eradication. The recommended H. pylori treatment regimens differ among those three East Asian countries. In this review, recent guidelines and up-to-date research on H. pylori treatment regimens from China, Japan, and South Korea are discussed.

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.

Scope and Limitations of Current Antibiotic Therapies against Helicobacter pylori: Reviewing Amoxicillin Gastroretentive Formulations

Even though general improvement of quality of life has happened around the globe, statistics show that gastric cancer is still a very serious medical concern in some regions of the world. A big portion of malignant neoplasms that develop inside the stomach are linked to an infection of Helicobacter pylori; in fact, this pathogen has already been categorized as a group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO). Still, the efficacy of current anti-H. pylori therapeutic approaches is insufficient and follows a worrying decreasing trend, mainly due to an exponential increase in resistance to key antibiotics. This work analyzes the clinical and biological characteristics of this pathogen, especially its link to gastric cancer, and provides a comprehensive review of current formulation trends for H. pylori eradication. Research effort has focused both on the discovery of new combinations of chemicals that function as optimized antibiotic regimens, and on the preparation of gastroretentive drug delivery systems (GRDDSs) to improve overall pharmacokinetics. Regarding the last topic, this review aims to summarize the latest trend in amoxicillin-loaded GRDDS, since this is the antibiotic that has shown the least bacterial resistance worldwide. It is expected that the current work could provide some insight into the importance of innovative options to combat this microorganism. Therefore, this review can inspire new research strategies in the development of efficient formulations for the treatment of this infection and the consequent prevention of gastric cancer.

Empirical vs. Susceptibility-Guided Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Treating Helicobacter pylori infection according to antibiotic resistance has been frequently recommended. However, information on its real effectiveness is scarce.

Aim

The aim of this study is to perform a meta-analysis comparing empirical vs. susceptibility-guided treatment of H. pylori.

Methods

Selection of studies: Studies comparing empirical versus susceptibility-guided treatment were selected. Search strategy: electronic and manual up to August 2021. Data synthesis: by intention-to-treat (random-effects model).

Results

Overall, 54 studies were included (6,705 patients in the susceptibility-guided group and 7,895 in the empirical group). H. pylori eradication rate was 86 vs. 76%, respectively (RR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.08-1.17; I 2: 83%). Similar results were found when only RCTs were evaluated (24 studies; RR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.11-1.22; I 2: 71%) and when susceptibility testing was assessed by culture (RR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.06-1.18) or PCR (RR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.05-1.23). For first-line treatments (naïve patients; 30 studies), better efficacy results were obtained with the susceptibility-guided strategy (RR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.11-1.20; I 2: 79%). However, for empirical first-line quadruple regimens, in particular (both with and without bismuth, excluding the suboptimal triple therapies), not based on CYP2C19 gene polymorphism, no differences in efficacy were found compared with the susceptibility-guided group (RR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.99-1.09); this lack of difference was confirmed in RCTs (RR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.99-1.12). For rescue therapies (13 studies, most 2nd-line), similar results were demonstrated for both strategies, including all studies (RR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.97-1.22; I 2: 82%) and when only RCTs were considered (RR: 1.15; 95% CI: 0.97-1.36).

Conclusion

The benefit of susceptibility-guided treatment over empirical treatment of H. pylori infection could not be demonstrated, either in first-line (if the most updated quadruple regimens are prescribed) or in rescue therapies.

V Spanish Consensus Conference on Helicobacter pylori infection treatment

Helicobacter pylori infection is very common in the Spanish population and represents the main cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. The last iteration of Spanish consensus guidelines on H. pylori infection was conducted in 2016. Recent changes in therapeutic schemes along with increasing supporting evidence were key for developing the V Spanish Consensus Conference (May 2021). Fourteen experts performed a systematic review of the scientific evidence and developed a series of recommendations that were subjected to an anonymous Delphi process of iterative voting. Scientific evidence and the strength of the recommendation were classified using GRADE guidelines. An eradication therapy, when prescribed empirically, is considered acceptable when it reliably achieves, or preferably surpass, 90% cure rates. Currently, only quadruple therapies (with or without bismuth) and generally lasting 14 days, accomplish this goal in first- and second-line therapies. A non-bismuth quadruple concomitant regimen (proton pump inhibitor, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and metronidazole) or a quadruple bismuth-based combination (proton pump inhibitor, bismuth, tetracycline, and metronidazole), are recommended as first-line regimens. Rescue therapies after eradication failure and management of H. pylori infection in peptic ulcer disease were also reviewed.

Helicobacter pylori Infection in Croatian Population: Knowledge, Attitudes and Factors Influencing Incidence and Recovery

Basic and clinical knowledge about Helicobacter pylori infections has been improved in the past. However, the translation of this knowledge into public health intervention has remained poor. A survey based cross-sectional study was performed to assess the factors regarding the H. pylori infection in the general population. The survey was conducted using a previously developed questionnaire, adapted for the population in Croatia. Respondents (N = 1131) had a good knowledge score with a median of 4 out of 5 correct answers (interquartile range: 2–4). Senior participants had a lower frequency of high knowledge answers about H. pylori (43.1%) compared to younger (56.1%) and middle-aged participants (51.5%, p = 0.014). Rural participants had a higher frequency of low knowledge answers compared to urban and suburban ones (21.7% vs. 9.5% and 9.4%, p = 0.011). Only 315 participants (27.9%) were screened for the H. pylori infection, despite high support for the screening programs among the untested (74.7%) and tested (85.7%). Habits of smoking (p = 0.036) and coffee drinking (p = 0.008) were associated with more symptoms after eradication therapy. Further education is needed for the groups at risk for H. pylori infection, especially to raise the awareness of the importance of screening programs. More research is warranted to assess the effects of dietary changes on therapy outcomes.

Experience with Rifabutin-Containing Therapy in 500 Patients from the European Registry on Helicobacter pylori Management (Hp-EuReg)

BACKGROUND

First-line Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) treatments have been relatively well evaluated; however, it remains necessary to identify the most effective rescue treatments. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness and safety of H. pylori regimens containing rifabutin.

METHODS

International multicentre prospective non-interventional European Registry on H. pylori Management (Hp-EuReg). Patients treated with rifabutin were registered in AEG-REDCap e-CRF from 2013 to 2021. Modified intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were performed. Data were subject to quality control.

RESULTS

Overall, 500 patients included in the Hp-EuReg were treated with rifabutin (mean age 52 years, 72% female, 63% with dyspepsia, 4% with peptic ulcer). Culture was performed in 63% of cases: dual resistance (to both clarithromycin and metronidazole) was reported in 46% of the cases, and triple resistance (to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin) in 39%. In 87% of cases rifabutin was utilised as part of a triple therapy together with amoxicillin and a proton-pump-inhibitor, and in an additional 6% of the patients, bismuth was added to this triple regimen. Rifabutin was mainly used in second-line (32%), third-line (25%), and fourth-line (27%) regimens, achieving overall 78%, 80% and 66% effectiveness by modified intention-to-treat, respectively. Compliance with treatment was 89%. At least one adverse event was registered in 26% of the patients (most frequently nausea), and one serious adverse event (0.2%) was reported in one patient with leukopenia and thrombocytopenia with fever requiring hospitalisation.

CONCLUSION

Rifabutin-containing therapy represents an effective and safe strategy after one or even several failures of H. pylori eradication treatment.

Factors Affecting the Intraluminal Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can be eradicated immediately while conducting an endoscopic examination. The eradication rate of intraluminal therapy for H. pylori infection (ILTHPI) is 53.7% (51/95) via local application of single-dose medicament containing amoxicillin, metronidazole, and clarithromycin. We aimed to evaluate factors affecting ILTHPI and to assess the efficacy among single antibiotics, and compared our results with combined antibiotics. We enrolled H. pylori-infected treatment-naïve symptomatic patients; 95 completed triple-antibiotic ILTHPI were evaluated for risk factors, along with 60 completed mono-antibiotic ILTHPI containing amoxicillin, clarithromycin, or metronidazole in each of the 20 patients. Univariate analysis revealed the significant influence of BMI (OR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.03–1.27, p = 0.011) and gastric juice pH (OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.16–1.58, p = 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis also showed significant influence of gastric juice pH (OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.10–1.54, p = 0.002). The eradication rate of mono-antibiotic ILTHPI is significantly lower than triple-antibiotic ILTHPI (11.7% vs. 53.7%; p < 0.0001; α = 0.05, power = 1.0). The efficacy was 20% (4/20) for metronidazole, 10% (2/20) for amoxicillin, and 5% (1/20) for clarithromycin. In conclusion, the level of gastric juice pH is a crucial factor affecting the ILTHPI. The detection of gastric juice pH and selection of optimal intraluminal medicaments are important. Further studies with combined antibiotics for ILTHPI, perhaps metronidazole-containing medicaments, are recommended.

Emergence of amoxicillin resistance and identification of novel mutations of the pbp1A gene in Helicobacter pylori in Vietnam

Background

Amoxicillin-resistant Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains seem to have increased over time in Vietnam. This threatens the effectiveness of H. pylori eradication therapies with this antibiotic. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of primary resistance of H. pylori to amoxicillin and to assess its association with pbp1A point mutations in Vietnamese patients.

Materials and methods

Naive patients who presented with dyspepsia undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were recruited. Rapid urease tests and PCR assays were used to diagnose H. pylori infection. Amoxicillin susceptibility was examined by E-tests. Molecular detection of the mutant pbp1A gene conferring amoxicillin resistance was carried out by real-time PCR followed by direct sequencing of the PCR products. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using the Tamura-Nei genetic distance model and the neighbor-joining tree building method.

Results

There were 308 patients (46.1% men and 53.9% women, p = 0.190) with H. pylori infection. The mean age of the patients was 40.5 ± 11.4 years, ranging from 18 to 74 years old. The E-test was used to determine the susceptibility to amoxicillin (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≤ 0.125 μg/ml) in 101 isolates, among which the rate of primarily resistant strains to amoxicillin was 25.7%. Then, 270 sequences of pbp1A gene fragments were analysed. There were 77 amino acid substitution positions investigated, spanning amino acids 310–596, with the proportion varying from 0.4 to 100%. Seven amino acid changes were significantly different between amoxicillin-sensitive (Amox^S) and amoxicillin-resistant (Amox^R) samples, including Phe₃₆₆ to Leu (p <  0.001), Ser₄₁₄ to Arg (p <  0.001), Glu/Asn_464–465 (p = 0.009), Val₄₆₉ to Met (p = 0.021), Phe₄₇₃ to Val (p <  0.001), Asp₄₇₉ to Glu (p = 0.044), and Ser/Ala/Gly_595–596 (p = 0.001). Phylogenetic analyses suggested that other molecular mechanisms might contribute to amoxicillin resistance in H. pylori in addition to the alterations in PBP1A.

Conclusions

We reported the emergence of amoxicillin-resistant Helicobacter pylori strains in Vietnam and new mutations statistically associated with this antimicrobial resistance. Additional studies are necessary to identify the mechanisms contributing to this resistance in Vietnam.

Clinical Factors Implicated in Antibiotic Resistance in Helicobacter pylori Patients

Helicobacter pylori is a common gastric pathogen associated with multiple clinical syndromes, including cancer. Eradication rates of H. pylori remain suboptimal despite the progress made in the past few decades in improving treatment strategies. The low eradication rates are mainly driven by antibiotic resistance of H. pylori. Non-invasive molecular testing to identify patients with antibiotic-resistant H. pylori represents a promising therapeutic avenue, however this technology currently remains limited by availability, costs, and lack of robust validation. Moreover, there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that resistance-testing-based treatment approaches are superior to appropriately designed empiric strategies. Consensus guidelines recommend use of proven locally effective regimens; however, eradication data are inconsistently generated in several regions of the world. In this review, we describe several clinical factors associated with increased rates of antibiotic resistant H. pylori, including history of previous antibiotic exposure, increasing age, female gender, ethnicity/race, extent of alcohol use, and non-ulcer dyspepsia. Assessment of these factors may aid the clinician in choosing the most appropriate empiric treatment strategy for each patient. Future study should aim to identify locally effective therapies and further explore the clinical factors associated with antibiotic resistance.

Evaluating treatments with rifabutin and amoxicillin for eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in adults: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Helicobacter pylori causes dyspepsia, peptic ulcer, and gastric malignancies. Treatments for Helicobacter pylori are mostly empirical depending on regional antibiotic resistances and the patient's history and less frequently susceptibility guided. Helicobacter pylori has a low resistance to rifabutin and has been proposed as an alternative for third-line treatment and beyond but recently has also gained attention for use as first- and second-line treatment.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, the authors systematically searched medical databases in order to present the current eradication rates for any treatment based on the two antibiotics, rifabutin and amoxicillin with a potent acid inhibitor. They also assessed the safety and tolerance of all the relative regimens.

EXPERT OPINION

Treatment with a rifabutin- and amoxicillin-containing regimen is a valuable option when treating difficult to eradicate Helicobacter pylori infections. Its efficacy is overall 71.4%, and it is not influenced by previous antibiotics, gender, smoking habits, and age. Its results were better when used as a first- or second-line treatment. In third-line therapy and beyond, eradication rates are lower. Adverse effects of all rifabutin regimens occurred in 23% of patients and were mostly mild with bone marrow suppression being very low and reversible.

Favorable outcomes of rescue second- or third-line culture-based Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment in areas of high antimicrobial resistance

BACKGROUND

Failure of second or third-line eradication treatment against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is principally caused by antimicrobial resistance and reduced treatment adherence.

AIMS

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of culture-based rescue eradication treatments in patients who have previously experienced failed eradication treatment.

METHODS

Patients who had persistent H. pylori infection following at least one eradication treatment were recommended to undergo culture analysis to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations of various antimicrobials via endoscopic resection. Consenting patients were assigned one of four therapeutic treatments based on an algorithm determined by antimicrobial resistance. These treatments consisted of 7 or 14-day administration of clarithromycin-containing proton pump inhibitor (PPI) triple therapy; esomeprazole, moxifloxacin, and amoxicillin (MEA) therapy; esomeprazole, bismuth, metronidazole, and tetracycline (quadruple) therapy; or lansoprazole, rifabutin, and amoxicillin (RLA) therapy. Eradication efficacy, adherence, and adverse events were assessed aside clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 132 patients were enrolled, with 84 patients completing the study. The overall resistance rates to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, and moxifloxacin were 13.1%, 83.3%, 47.6%, and 71.4%, respectively. The patients were allocated to the PPI triple (n = 11), MEA (n = 15), quadruple (n = 53), or RLA triple (n = 5) therapy group. The eradication rates in the intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were 90.5% (76 of 84 patients) and 93.8% (76 of 81 patients), respectively. Nausea was the most frequent adverse event (25.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

As a rescue therapy, culture-based susceptibility-guided eradication treatment was both effective and safe, even for patients exhibiting high antimicrobial resistance.

Rescue Therapy with Furazolidone in Patients with at Least Five Eradication Treatment Failures and Multi-Resistant H. pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori infection may persist after multiple eradication treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a furazolidone-based rescue regimen in hyper-refractory patients. A unicentre, prospective study was designed. Patients in whom five or more treatments had consecutively failed were included. All patients had previously received bismuth and key antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, tetracycline, and rifabutin, and had positive H. pylori culture, demonstrating resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin. A quadruple regimen with furazolidone (200 mg), amoxicillin (1 g), bismuth (240 mg), and esomeprazole (40 mg) was prescribed twice a day for 14 days. Eradication was confirmed by the stool antigen test. Compliance was determined through questioning, and adverse effects using a questionnaire. Eight patients (mean age 56 years, 63% men, 38% peptic ulcer disease, 12% gastric cancer precursor lesions, and 50% functional dyspepsia) were included. Per-protocol and intention-to-treat eradication rates were 63%. Compliance was 100%. Adverse effects were reported in two (25%) patients, and all were mild. Even after five or more previous H. pylori eradication failures, and a multi-resistant infection, rescue treatment with furazolidone may be effective in approximately two-thirds of the cases, constituting a valid strategy after multiple previous eradication failures with key antibiotics such as clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and rifabutin.

Tailored eradication strategy vs concomitant therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment in Korean patients

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic resistance to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, which ultimately results in eradication failure, has been an emerging issue in the clinical field. Recently, to overcome this problem, an antibiotic sensitivity-based tailored therapy (TT) for H. pylori infection has received attention.

AIM

To investigate the efficacy and safety profiles of TT for H. pylori infection treatment compared to a non-bismuth quadruple therapy, concomitant therapy (CT) regimen.

METHODS

We included patients (> 18 years) with an H. pylori infection and without a history of Helicobacter eradication who visited the Gil Medical Center between March 2016 and October 2020. After being randomly assigned to either the TT or CT treatment group in 1 to 1 manner, patient compliance, eradication success rate (ESR), and patient-reported side effects profiles were assessed and compared between the two groups. H. pylori infection was diagnosed using a rapid urease test, Giemsa stain, or dual priming oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction (DPO-PCR). Tailored eradication strategy based through the presence of a 23S ribosomal RNA point mutation. For the TT group, a DPO-PCR test, which detected A2142G and/or A2143G point mutations, and a clarithromycin resistance test were performed. Patients in the clarithromycin-resistant group were treated with a bismuth-containing quadruple combination therapy, while those with sensitive results were treated with the standard triple regimen.

RESULTS

Of the 217 patients with a treatment naive H. pylori infection, 110 patients [mean age: 58.66 ± 13.03, men, n = 55 (50%)] were treated with TT, and 107 patients [mean age: 56.67 ± 10.88, men, n = 52 (48.60%)] were treated with CT. The compliance (TT vs CT, 100% vs 98.13%, P = 0.30), and follow-up loss rates (8.18% vs 9.35%, P = 0.95) were not significantly different between the groups. The ESR after treatment was also not statistically different between the groups (TT vs CT, 82.73% vs 82.24%, P = 0.95). However, the treatment-related and patient-reported side effects were significantly lower in the TT group than in the CT group (22.77% vs 50.52%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The DPO-based TT regimen shows promising results in efficacy and safety profiles as a first-line Helicobacter eradication regimen in Korea, especially when physicians are confronted with increased antibiotic resistance rates.

Antibiofilm and Antimicrobial-Enhancing Activity of Chelidonium majus and Corydalis cheilanthifolia Extracts against Multidrug-Resistant Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the stomach of about 60% of people worldwide. The search for new drugs with activity against H. pylori is now a hotspot in the effective and safe control of this bacterium. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine the antibacterial activity of extracts from selected plants of the Papaveraceae family against planktonic and biofilm forms of the multidrug-resistant clinical strain of H. pylori using a broad spectrum of analytical in vitro methods. It was revealed that among the tested extracts, those obtained from Corydalis cheilanthifolia and Chelidonium majus were the most active, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 64 µg/mL and 128 µg/mL, respectively. High concentrations of both extracts showed cytotoxicity against cell lines of human hepatic origin. Therefore, we attempted to lower their MICs through the use of a synergistic combination with synthetic antimicrobials as well as by applying cellulose as a drug carrier. Using checkerboard assays, we determined that both extracts presented synergistic interactions with amoxicillin (AMX) and 3-bromopyruvate (3-BP) (FICI = 0.5) and additive relationships with sertraline (SER) (FICI = 0.75). The antibiofilm activity of extracts and their combinations with AMX, 3-BP, or SER, was analyzed by two methods, i.e., the microcapillary overgrowth under flow conditions (the Bioflux system) and assessment of the viability of lawn biofilms after exposure to drugs released from bacterial cellulose (BC) carriers. Using both methods, we observed a several-fold decrease in the level of H. pylori biofilm, indicating the ability of the tested compounds to eradicate the microbial biofilm. The obtained results indicate that application of plant-derived extracts from the Papaveraceae family combined with synthetic antimicrobials, absorbed into organic BC carrier, may be considered a promising way of fighting biofilm-forming H. pylori.

Cost-Effectiveness, Efficacy, and Safety Analysis of Tailored Therapy in Patients with Helicobacter pylori Infection

Recently in Korea, where triple therapy is accepted as the first-line Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication treatment, antibiotic resistance to clarithromycin has increased considerably, resulting in eradication rates of less than 80%. We investigated the efficacy of tailored therapy after a clarithromycin resistance test compared with empirical therapy for H. pylori eradication. The cost-effectiveness of H. pylori eradication success was evaluated according to the average medical cost per patient. A total of 364 patients were enrolled in the study. The first-line H. pylori eradication rate was significantly higher in patients who received tailored therapy than in those who received empirical therapy. The total medical costs for the tailored and empirical groups were 46,374 Won and 53,528 Won. The total treatment period for each ultimately successful eradication in the tailored group was 79.8 ± 2.8 days, which is shorter than that of the empirical group (99.2 ± 7.4 days). The rate of eradication-related adverse events for the tailored group and empirical group was 12.9% and 14.8%, respectively. Tailored therapy could be a useful option to achieve a higher successful eradication rate, shorter treatment periods, and lower medical costs than empirical therapy in the era of increasing antibiotic resistance.

Rescue Therapies for H. pylori Infection in Italy

Background/Aims: Curing Helicobacter pylori infection remains challenging for clinicians, as no proposed first-line therapy achieves bacterial eradication in all treated patients so that several patients need two or more consecutive treatments. Bacterial culture with antibiotics susceptibility testing is largely unachievable in Italy, and empiric second-line and rescue therapies are generally used. This study aimed to identify what eradication regimens perform better in Italy, following first-line therapy failure. Methods: We performed a literature search on PubMed for studies on standard therapy regimens used as second-line or rescue treatments performed in adult patients. Studies including modified drug combinations were not considered. Both intention-to-treat and per- protocol analyses were computed for each therapy subgroup. Results: Data from 35 studies with a total of 4830 patients were eventually considered. As a second-line therapy, Pylera® (90.6%) and a sequential regimen (89.8%) achieved eradication rates significantly higher than other therapies. For third-line therapy, a levofloxacin-based regimen and Pylera® achieved comparable eradication rates (88.2% vs. 84.7%; p = 0.2). Among therapies used as fourth (or more) attempts, Pylera® and a rifabutin-based therapy achieved 77.4% and 66.4% cure rates, respectively (p = 0.013). A therapy sequence based on the type of first-line therapy used was proposed. Conclusions: Data obtained through our review indicate that standard therapies for H. pylori eradication can be used when following an appropriate sequence, allowing clinicians to improve the cure rate without resorting to bacterial culture.

Rifabutin for the Treatment of Helicobacter Pylori Infection: A Review

Nowadays, apart from having to know first-line Helicobacter pylori eradication regimens well, we must also be prepared to face treatment failures. The aim of this review is to summarize the role of rifabutin in the management of H. pylori infection. Bibliographical searches were performed in PubMed. Data on resistance and efficacy of rifabutin-containing regimens on H. pylori eradication were meta-analyzed. Mean H. pylori rifabutin resistance rate (39 studies, including 9721 patients) was 0.13%; when studies only including patients naïve to H. pylori eradication treatment were considered, this figure was even lower (0.07%). Mean H. pylori eradication rate (by intention-to-treat) with rifabutin-containing regimens (3052 patients) was 73%. Respective cure rates for second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-line therapies, were 79%, 69%, 69% and 72%. Most studies administered rifabutin 300 mg/day, which seemed to be more effective than 150 mg/day. The ideal length of treatment remains unclear, but 10–12-day regimens are generally recommended. Adverse events to rifabutin treatment in H. pylori studies were relatively infrequent (15%), and severe adverse events were exceptional (myelotoxicity was the most significant, although always reversible). In summary, rifabutin-containing therapy represents an encouraging strategy generally restricted, at present, to patients where previous (usually multiple) eradication regimens have failed.

Optimization Strategies Aimed to Increase the Efficacy of Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapies with Quinolones

H. pylori infection is the main cause of gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer disease, and gastric cancer. Fluoroquinolones such as levofloxacin, or more recently moxifloxacin or sitafloxacin, are efficacious alternatives to standard antibiotics for H. pylori eradication. The aim of the present review is to summarize the role of quinolone-based eradication therapies, mainly focusing on the optimization strategies aimed to increase their efficacy. Several meta-analyses have shown that, after failure of a first-line eradication treatment, a levofloxacin-containing rescue regimen is at least equally effective, and better tolerated, than the generally recommended bismuth quadruple regimen. Compliance with the levofloxacin regimens is excellent, and the safety profile is favourable. Higher cure rates have been reported with longer treatments (>10-14 days), and 500 mg levofloxacin daily is the recommended dose. Adding bismuth to the standard triple regimen (PPI-amoxicillin-levofloxacin) has been associated with encouraging results. Unfortunately, resistance to quinolones is easily acquired and is increasing in most countries, being associated with a decrease in the eradication rate of H. pylori. In summary, a quinolone (mainly levofloxacin)-containing regimen is an encouraging second-line (or even third-line) strategy, and a safe and simple alternative to bismuth quadruple therapy in patients whose previous H. pylori eradication therapy has failed.