The effect of previous eradication failure on antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori: A retrospective study over 8 years in Beijing

Efficacy and safety of tetracycline vs. amoxicillin in furazolidone-based rescue therapy for Helicobacter pylori: a real-world analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Despite the increasing rates of antibiotic resistance, furazolidone-based regimens have demonstrated promise in Helicobacter pylori eradication. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of tetracycline versus amoxicillin in furazolidone-based quadruple therapy [bismuth quadruple therapy with furazolidone and tetracycline (BQFT) vs. bismuth quadruple therapy with furazolidone and amoxicillin (BQFA)] in rescue treatments.

METHODS

Patients who received BQFT or BQFA as rescue treatment were enrolled in this study. H. pylori status was determined using the 13C/14C urea breath test or histological examination. Eradication rates, adherence and side effects were carefully recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 342 participants were included. BQFT showed significantly higher eradication rates (modified intention-to-treat: 96.2% vs. 76%; per-protocol: 97.1% vs. 77.8%, P < 0.001), suggesting superior efficacy for patients with prior treatment failures. However, BQFA demonstrated fewer overall adverse effects (11.6% vs. 20.7%, P = 0.046), highlighting a tolerability advantage. Both groups showed similar symptom improvements and compliance rates.

CONCLUSION

BQFT exhibits superior efficacy with acceptable tolerability, making it a promising option for patients with refractory H. pylori infections. Clinicians should consider its benefits in cases of multiple prior eradication failures.

Vonoprazan improves the efficacy of bismuth quadruple therapy containing doxycycline and metronidazole as first-line Helicobacter pylori treatment in penicillin-allergic patients: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori eradication in penicillin-allergic patients presents challenges. Options of effective regimens are lacking in areas where tetracycline is unavailable.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of replacing the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) with a potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB, vonoprazan) in standard bismuth quadruple therapy containing doxycycline and metronidazole as a first-line treatment for H. pylori.

METHODS

This prospective randomized clinical trial enrolled 332 naive patients with H. pylori infection and penicillin allergy. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the 14 day P-CAB/BDM group (vonoprazan 20 mg twice daily, colloidal bismuth 200 mg twice daily, doxycycline 100 mg twice daily and metronidazole 400 mg three times daily) or the 14 day PPI/BDM group (rabeprazole 10 mg twice daily, and the same dose of the three other drugs as in the 14 day P-CAB/BDM group).

RESULTS

Eradication rates in the P-CAB/BDM and PPI/BDM groups were 90.4% and 71.1% (P value for superiority was 0.013), respectively, by ITT analysis. The efficacy of P-CAB/BDM remained non-inferior and even superior to PPI/BDM therapy in all ITT, modified ITT and PP analyses. The overall frequency of adverse events (39.8% and 40.4%; P = 0.911) and compliance (88.0% and 91.0%; P = 0.372) were similar between P-CAB and PPI regimens. Patients with higher body surface area were significantly associated with eradication failure in both groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The 14 day P-CAB/BDM therapy provided a satisfactory eradication rate of >90% (ITT analysis) and had a good safety profile as first-line H. pylori therapy, providing an alternative option for penicillin-allergic patients.

Overcoming antibiotic-resistant Helicobacter pylori infection: Current challenges and emerging approaches

Recent studies have shown a noticeable increase in global Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) resistance, with clarithromycin resistance surpassing 15% in various areas. However, inadequate epidemiological monitoring, especially in developing countries, and the absence of uniform testing methods lead to discrepancies between regions and a possible underestimation of resistance levels. The complexity of treating H. pylori is driven by its highly dynamic genome, which is prone to frequent mutations contributing to phenotypical resistance. The usual course of action in empirical treatment involves using a combination of various drugs simultaneously, leading to significant resistance selection pressure and potential side effects. The emergence of H. pylori strains resistant to multiple drugs is closely tied to failures in first-line treatment, highlighting the need to prevent further resistance by using optimal initial empirical therapy or regimens guided by antibiotic susceptibility testing, requiring a collection of mixed samples and multiple isolates for accurate assessment. The emergence of new treatments like potassium-competitive acid blockers offers a hopeful approach to decrease antimicrobial usage while still ensuring effectiveness in comparison to traditional therapies with proton pump inhibitors. Additionally, the use of probiotics is under investigation to identify specific strains and formulations that may mitigate therapy-associated adverse effects.

Analysis of the status and risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection and drug resistance in the Lianyungang area, China

OBJECTIVE

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has attracted much attention since its discovery. This bacterium has had a substantial impact on society, the economy, and public health. In recent years, with the continuous increase in drug resistance in H. pylori and the emergence of multidrug resistant strains, the existing diagnostic and treatment options are no longer able to meet clinical needs, so we need to understand the dynamically changing nature of drug resistance of H. pylori in our region. This study collected stool samples from community residents in Lianyungang to analyse the local H. pylori infection status, resistance to commonly used antibacterial agents, and risk factors to provide a reference for local clinical empirical treatment.

METHODS

Human stool samples from Lianyungang residents were collected, the DNA of H. pylori in the positive samples was extracted, the sites of mutated genes were determined by PCR and nucleic acid mass spectrometry, and genotypes of cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) were tested. The resistance rates of local H. pylori strains to five antibacterial agents, levofloxacin, clarithromycin, furazolidone, amoxicillin, and tetracycline, were collected, and the risk factors for drug resistance were analysed statistically based on questionnaire results.

RESULTS

A total of 221 residents with qualified stool samples were enrolled. The infection rate was 25.3%. DNA was extracted from 56 H. pylori samples. Among them, only 17 H. pylori strains were sensitive to all five antibiotics, and a total of five drug resistance patterns were detected. The main drug resistance patterns were single drug resistance to clarithromycin (30.4%) and double drug resistance to levofloxacin + clarithromycin (21.4%). The levofloxacin resistance mutations were mainly located at N87K and D91Y of the gyrA sequence, and the clarithromycin resistance mutations were mainly located at A2143G in the 23S rRNA sequence. Age, gastrointestinal symptoms, and previous history of H. pylori infection were risk factors for resistant H. pylori. A previous history of H. pylori infection was an independent risk factor for the development of drug resistance in H. pylori.

CONCLUSION

The H. pylori infection rate in the Lianyungang area is lower than the national rate, but the rates of resistance to levofloxacin and clarithromycin are quite high. Drug sensitivity testing is needed to provide more accurate individualized treatment and improve the eradication rate of H. pylori. Continuous monitoring of local antibiotic resistance patterns remains the first choice for empirical treatment.

Comparative analysis of the detection of antibiotic genotypic resistance with gastric mucosa, gastric fluid, and fecal samples in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection

Genotypic methods for detecting antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori infection offer a rapid, convenient, and accurate approach for tailored therapy. However, existing studies predominantly examine single sample types and lack comparative analyses across different samples. This study comprehensively detects and compares genotypic resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin in gastric mucosa, gastric fluid, and fecal samples from the same patients. The study enrolled 183 participants, comprising 124 H. pylori-positive and 59 H. pylori-negative patients. All participants provided fecal samples and underwent gastroscopy for the collection of gastric mucosa and gastric fluid. Real-time PCR was employed to detect genotypic resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin in conjunction with bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Genotypic resistance detection rates for clarithromycin were 100% in gastric mucosa, 99.2% in gastric fluid, and 79.8% in fecal samples. For levofloxacin, detection rates were 97.6%, 96.8%, and 72.6%, respectively. The results showed that PCR detection for clarithromycin exhibited high sensitivity (0.94-0.95) and specificity (0.88-0.89) across all sample types. However, PCR detection for levofloxacin demonstrated slightly lower sensitivity (0.79-0.89) and specificity (0.79-0.83). The comparison of genotypic resistance results by PCR among the three sample types showed that gastric mucosa and gastric juice exhibited higher consistency, while the consistency between feces and both gastric mucosa and gastric juice was lower. This study confirmed good consistency between genotypic and phenotypic resistance in clarithromycin and levofloxacin. While both gastric mucosa and gastric fluid samples demonstrated high detection performance, the efficiency of detecting fecal samples was constrained by challenges in DNA extraction.

IMPORTANCE

This study, with a large sample size, comprehensively tested both Helicobacter pylori-negative and -positive patients, including rapid urease test, histopathological evaluation and staining, bacterial culture, susceptibility testing, and resistance gene mutation analysis. By simultaneously examining gastric mucosa, gastric juice, and fecal samples from the same individuals, we minimized confounding factors arising from different sample sources, ensuring the reliability of our results. This approach effectively delineated the differences and characteristics in detection performance among different sample types, offering crucial reference data for selecting appropriate detection samples and identifying areas for improvement. The findings revealed robust concordance between genotypic and phenotypic resistance, with both gastric mucosa and gastric juice samples demonstrating excellent detection performance. However, the efficiency of detecting resistance in fecal samples was hampered by challenges in DNA extraction.

The efficacy and safety of a simple 14-day vonoprazan-minocycline dual therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a retrospective pilot study

Background

Current eradication regimens are not ideal for Helicobacter pylori infected patients who have difficulty choosing antibiotics due to penicillin allergy or antibiotic resistance.

Objective

To explore the efficacy and safety of a simple vonoprazan-minocycline dual therapy (VM dual therapy) in H. pylori eradication.

Design

Clinical data of patients who were prescribed 14-day VM dual therapy were retrospectively collected. The included patients were 18-70 years old and positive for 13C urea breath test (13C-UBT). They were allergic to penicillin or had a history of repeated antibiotic exposure or had failed eradication with multiple regimens containing amoxicillin. VM dual therapy consists of vonoprazan 20 mg twice daily and minocycline 100 mg twice daily. 13C-UBT was repeated 4-6 weeks after treatment to evaluate the therapeutic outcome.

Results

Of the 88 enrolled patients, 54 were treatment naïve, 13 had one prior eradication failure, and 21 had multiple eradication failures. The overall intention to treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were 90.9% (95% CI: 82.4-95.7) and 95.2% (95% CI: 87.6-98.5). The ITT eradication rates were 90.7% (95% CI: 78.9-96.5) in treatment-naïve patients, 84.6% (95% CI: 53.7-97.3) in patients with one prior treatment failure, and 95.2% (95% CI: 74.1-99.8) in patients with multiple failures. The PP eradication rates were 94.2% (95% CI: 83.1-98.5), 91.7% (95% CI: 59.8-99.6), and 100%, respectively. The overall incidence of adverse events was 23.0%. The common adverse reactions were nausea and mild dizziness, which could be resolved without intervention.

Conclusion

Simple VM dual therapy exhibited a good eradication rate, low incidence of adverse effects, and good adherence. It is a potential new regimen for both first-line and rescue therapy.

Eradication rate and safety of vonoprazan-amoxicillin dual therapy for helicobacter pylori eradication: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), prevalent in developing regions, is a key factor in gastrointestinal diseases. Despite the common use of bismuth-based quadruple therapy, its drawbacks have prompted the search for alternatives. Recently, vonoprazan, a novel acid suppressant, has shown promise in combination with antibiotics as a dual therapy for H. pylori eradication. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic outcomes and adverse events of vonoprazan-amoxicillin dual therapy compared to quadruple therapy.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) enrolled H. pylori-infected patients at Zhejiang Hospital. Participants were randomly assigned to dual and quadruple therapy groups. The primary endpoints were H. pylori eradication and adverse events.

RESULTS

Of the 400 patients studied from April 2022 to June 2023, In the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, the eradication rates of H. pylori in vonoprazan-amoxicillin dual therapy group and quadruple therapy group were 94.0% and 87.0%, respectively, p = 0.017. In the per-protocol (PP) analysis were 97.9% and 93.0%, p = 0.022. Additionally, the dual therapy group had a significantly lower incidence of adverse events (19%) compared to the quadruple therapy group (53%) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Vonoprazan-amoxicillin dual therapy demonstrates superior eradication efficacy and reduced adverse events compared to quadruple therapy in H. pylori-infected patients, suggesting its potential for clinical application and promotion.

Clarithromycin sustained-release tablet may be an improper therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori

Background

Clarithromycin plays an important role in eradicating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) through quadruple therapy. However, there is limited research on whether different forms of clarithromycin dosage have similar efficacies against H. pylori.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different forms of clarithromycin dosage in bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for eradicating H. pylori.

Design

A single-center retrospective analysis comparing the efficacy of different forms of clarithromycin dosage in eradicating H. pylori.

Methods

An analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with H. pylori infection through the 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT) at Henan Provincial People's Hospital, China from 2020 to 2022 who were treated with either a dispersible or sustained-release clarithromycin tablet (500 mg each), alongside amoxicillin (1000 mg), a standard dose of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and bismuth citrate (220 mg), administered twice daily as part of bismuth-containing quadruple therapy. Treatment efficacy was assessed using 13C-UBT at least 4 weeks after treatment completion. The H. pylori eradication rate was the primary outcome of this study, and factors influencing it were analyzed.

Results

Among 2094 screened patients, 307 with H. pylori infection (mean age, 41.8 ± 0.7 years; 43% men) received bismuth-containing quadruple therapy. Univariate analysis of the dispersible and sustained-release tablet groups revealed a lower eradication rate with the sustained-release tablet compared with the dispersible clarithromycin tablet regimen (75.26% (73/97) vs 95.26% (200/210), respectively; p < 0.05). Other factors, such as smoking, age, and PPI type, were not significantly associated with the cure rate. Multivariate analysis identified the form of clarithromycin dosage (dispersible vs sustained-release) to be an independent risk factor for eradication failure using the bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (odds ratio = 0.145, 95% confidence interval: (0.065-0.323); p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The clarithromycin dispersible tablet demonstrated a higher H. pylori eradication rate, and the sustained-release clarithromycin tablet may be inappropriate for H. pylori eradication.

Research on drug treatment and the novel signaling pathway of chronic atrophic gastritis

BACKGROUND

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a global digestive system disease and one of the important causes of gastric cancer. The incidence of CAG has been increasing yearly worldwide.

PURPOSE

This article reviews the latest research on the common causes and future therapeutic targets of CAG as well as the pharmacological effects of corresponding clinical drugs. We provide a detailed theoretical basis for further research on possible methods for the treatment of CAG and reversal of the CAG process.

RESULTS

CAG often develops from chronic gastritis, and its main pathological manifestation is atrophy of the gastric mucosa, which can develop into gastric cancer. The drug treatment of CAG can be divided into agents that regulate gastric acid secretion, eradicate Helicobacter. pylori (H. pylori), protect gastric mucous membrane, or inhibit inflammatory factors according to their mechanism of action. Although there are limited specific drugs for the treatment of CAG, progress is being made in defining the pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of the disease. Growing evidence shows that NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, Wnt/ β-catenin, MAPK, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), Hedgehog, and VEGF signaling pathways play an important role in the development of CAG.

Treatment failure is a key factor in the development of Helicobacter pylori resistance

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori eradication failure influences its antibiotic resistance.

AIMS

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of previous treatment failures on it, including the changes in the antibiotic resistance rates, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) distributions, and resistance patterns.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-center retrospective study included 860 primary isolates and 247 secondary isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed for amoxicillin, metronidazole, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, furazolidone, tetracycline, and rifampicin. The demographic data and detailed regimens were collected.

RESULTS

The primary resistance rates to amoxicillin, metronidazole, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, tetracycline, rifampin, and furazolidone were 5.93%, 83.84%, 28.82%, 26.28%, 0.35%, 1.16%, and 0%, while secondary were 25.10%, 92.31%, 79.76%, 63.16%, 1.06%, 3.19%, and 0%, respectively. The resistance rates to amoxicillin, metronidazole, clarithromycin, and levofloxacin increased significantly with the number of treatment failures accumulated, and showed a linear trend. The proportion of primary and secondary multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates were 17.79% and 63.16%, respectively. The MIC values of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and levofloxacin were elevated significantly with medication courses increased.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, and metronidazole resistance would increase rapidly following first-line treatment failure, as well as the MIC values of them. Clinicians should pay great attention to the first-line treatment to cure H. pylori infection successfully.

Helicobacter pylori Secondary Antibiotic Resistance after One or More Eradication Failure: A Genotypic Stool Analysis Study

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antibiotic resistance is the leading cause for unsuccessful eradication therapy. After one or more failures, the chance of encountering secondary antibiotic resistance increases. The aim of this study was to characterize genotypic secondary resistance in a cohort of southern Italian H. pylori patients with at least one previous failure. Such patients collected stool samples using a dedicated kit (THD fecal testTM), and bacterial DNA was extracted and amplified using RT-PCR. Resistance to clarithromycin, amoxicillin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, and tetracycline was assessed using a high-resolution melting curve. We enrolled 50 patients. A total of 72% of patients failed one previous antibiotic course, 16% failed two, 10% failed three, and 2% failed four. The rate of secondary antibiotic resistance was 16% for clarithromycin, 18% for metronidazole, 14% for amoxicillin, 14% for levofloxacin, and 2% for tetracycline. Among the eight clarithromycin-resistant patients, five (62.5%) previously received a clarithromycin-based regimen. The same rate was 33.3% (3/9) for metronidazole. The only tetracycline-resistant patient had received Pylera. In conclusion, our data seem to show that, even though secondary resistance is not very high, resistance to clarithromycin could be very likely related to previous exposure to this antibiotic.

Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance in different regions of China: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Increasing drug resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in China has become one of the major obstacles to the efficacy of empirical eradication therapy. Resistance profiles vary from region to region, which poses an additional challenge to the expansion of empirical eradication therapy.

AIM

To evaluate H. pylori antibiotic resistance in various regions of China systematically.

METHODS

A thorough computerized search of various databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Sinomed, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP, was conducted to identify cross-sectional studies on H. pylori resistance in various regions of China. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data, and evaluated the quality of the literature. R 4.3.1 software was used for Meta-analysis of the resistance rate to each antibiotic and their combinations.

RESULTS

A total of 46 eligible articles were included. Clarithromycin (CLA), levofloxacin (LEV), amoxicillin (AMX), tetracycline (TET), metronidazole (MNZ), and furazolidone (FZD) resistance rates in China were 27.72% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.80%-31.82%), 31.23% (95%CI: 26.62%-36.02%), 3.97% (95%CI: 1.96%-6.65%), 4.01% (95%CI: 1.36%-7.98%), 75.30% (95%CI: 70.31%-79.97%), and 0.64% (95%CI: 0.13%-1.53%), respectively. The rate of AMX resistance varied significantly among different regions of China, being the highest in South China (7.15%, 95%CI: 6.16%-76.10%) and the lowest in North China (1.86%, 95%CI: 0.67%-3.64%). CLA resistance in East and Central China, LEV resistance in East and Northwest China, and MNZ resistance in North and Southwest China all increased significantly over time, while AMX and TET resistance in East China notably decreased. CLA + MNZ, LEV + MNZ, and CLA + LEV dual resistance rates in China reached 14.05% (95%CI: 10.70%-17.77%), 15.12% (95%CI: 11.53%-19.10%), and 5.16% (95%CI: 2.87%-8.06%), respectively. CLA + LEV + MNZ, LEV + MNZ + AMX, and CLA + MNZ + AMX triple resistance rates were 10.36% (95%CI: 7.45%-13.69%), 0.92% (95%CI: 0.12%-2.44%), and 0.85% (95%CI: 0.20%-1.92%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

H. pylori resistance is serious in China, with MNZ resistance rate being the highest, followed by CLA and LEV resistance rates. The detection rate of some multi-resistant organisms has also reached a high level. Antibiotic resistance rates vary slightly across different regions of China, and most of them show an increasing trend over time.

Efficacy and safety of vonoprazan-amoxicillin dual therapy for Helicobacter pylori first-line treatment: a single-center, randomized, controlled trial

Background

With the increase in antibiotic resistance, the success rate of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy has declined in recent years. Vonoprazan-amoxicillin (VA) dual therapy has been reported to be a promising regimen.

Objectives

To compare the efficacy and safety of VA dual therapy and bismuth quadruple therapy containing amoxicillin and clarithromycin for H. pylori first-line eradication, and to further analyze the effects of clarithromycin resistance on eradication rate.

Design

This study was a single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Treatment-naïve H. pylori-infected patients were randomly allocated 1:1 to the VA group (vonoprazan 20 mg twice daily and amoxicillin 750 mg four times daily, for 14 days) or the RBAC group (rabeprazole 10 mg, bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily, for 14 days). H. pylori clarithromycin resistance and CYP2C19 gene polymorphisms were detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The eradication rates and adverse events were analyzed.

Results

A total of 151 patients were enrolled. The intention-to-treat (ITT), modified intention-to-treat (mITT), and per-protocol (PP) eradication rates and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were 94.6% (86.0-98.3%), 98.6% (91.3-99.9%), and 98.5% (90.9-99.9%) for VA group and 87.0% (77.0-93.3%), 91.8% (82.3-96.6%), and 93% (83.7-97.4%) for RBAC group. The eradication rate of the VA group was noninferior to the RBAC group in ITT, mITT, and PP analyses (p < 0.0001). In patients infected with strains of clarithromycin resistance point mutation, the eradication rate of the RBAC group decreased to lower than 90%, but the difference from the VA group did not achieve statistical significance (ITT eradication rate: 81.5% in the RBAC group and 96.2% in the VA group, p = 0.192). The incidence of adverse events in the VA group was 39.2%, which was significantly lower than that in the RBAC group (79.2%, p = 0.000).

Conclusion

The efficacy of VA dual therapy is noninferior to RBAC in H. pylori first-line eradication, with fewer adverse reactions.

Registration

This study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100052550) on 30 October 2021.

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.

Antimicrobial Effects of Lactoferrin against Helicobacter pylori Infection

Helicobacter (H.) pylori is the primary causative agent of various gastroduodenal diseases. H. pylori is an adapted microorganism that has evolved to survive in the acidic conditions of the human stomach, possessing a natural strategy for colonizing harsh environments. Despite the implementation of various eradication regimens worldwide, the eradication rate of H. pylori has decreased to less than 80% in recent years due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. This has posed a significant challenge in treating H. pylori infection, as antibiotic resistance and side effects have become increasingly problematic. Lactoferrin, a member of the transferrin family, is an iron-binding protein with antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that promote human health. The concentrations of lactoferrin in the gastric juice and mucosa significantly increase during H. pylori infection and are strongly correlated with the severity of gastric mucosal inflammation. Numerous researchers have studied the antimicrobial properties of lactoferrin both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, recent studies have investigated the addition of oral lactoferrin supplementation to H. pylori eradication therapy, even though monotherapy with lactoferrin does not eradicate the microorganism. In this article, we reviewed the survival strategy of H. pylori to evade the antimicrobial activity of human lactoferrin and explore the potential of lactoferrin in H. pylori eradication therapy.

A real-world exploratory study on the feasibility of vonoprazan and tetracycline dual therapy for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in special populations with penicillin allergy or failed in previous amoxicillin-containing therapies

BACKGROUND

The treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a challenge for those who cannot use amoxicillin.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the eradication rate and adverse effects of vonoprazan and tetracycline dual therapy as first-line and rescue treatment regimens used in special populations with penicillin allergy or failed in previous amoxicillin-containing therapies.

DESIGN

Patients enrolled were those who were H. pylori-positive with selected conditions: (1) allergic to penicillin, either naïve to treatment or had failed before; or (2) failed in previous amoxicillin-containing therapies. All enrolled patients accepted 14-day vonoprazan and tetracycline dual therapy (VT dual therapy) as follows: vonoprazan (20 mg b.i.d.) and tetracycline (500 mg t.i.d. [body weight < 70 kg] or 500 mg q.i.d. [body weight ≥ 70 kg]). H. pylori status was evaluated by ¹³ C-urease breath test 6 weeks after treatment. All adverse effects were recorded. Some patients underwent bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing.

RESULTS

A total of 62 patients were enrolled; 18 of them received VT dual therapy as first-line treatment, 44 patients received VT dual therapy as rescue treatment. Overall, 58 of 62 patients achieved successful eradication (93.5%), while all involved (100%,18/18) succeeded in the first-line treatment group and 40 cases (90.9%, 40/44) succeeded in the rescue treatment group. Sixty-one (61/62, 98.4%) patients completed the whole course of treatment. Adverse events occurred in 6 patients (6/62, 9.7%), while one patient quit because of skin rash. All adverse effects were mild and relieved spontaneously after H. pylori treatment. Five patients achieved successful H. pylori culture, and all strains isolated were sensitive to tetracycline.

CONCLUSIONS

For the treatment of H. pylori infection in special populations with penicillin allergy or failed in previous amoxicillin-containing therapies, a 14-day vonoprazan and tetracycline dual therapy was effective and safe as first-line and rescue treatment in our study. Further study is warranted to verify its efficacy, especially for those who cannot use amoxicillin.

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.

Efficacy and safety of triple therapy containing berberine hydrochloride, amoxicillin, and rabeprazole in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the effectiveness and safety of triple therapy containing berberine, amoxicillin, and rabeprazole in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

METHODS

This prospective, randomized controlled, open-label, noninferiority trial included treatment-naive patients with H. pylori infection who were randomly allocated at a ratio of 1:1 into the berberine triple therapy group (berberine hydrochloride 300 mg thrice daily, amoxicillin 1 g twice daily, and rabeprazole 10 mg twice daily) or standard bismuth-containing quadruple therapy group (amoxicillin 1 g twice daily, rabeprazole 10 mg twice daily, clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily, and bismuth tartrate 200 mg twice daily) for 14 days. Negative ¹³ C/¹⁴ C-urea breath test at 4 weeks after completion of the therapy was regarded as successful eradication.

RESULTS

Altogether 262 and 262 patients received berberine triple therapy and bismuth-containing quadruple therapy, respectively. Both intention-to-treat (79.8% vs 80.9%, P = 0.742) and per-protocol analyses (83.6% and 85.1%, P = 0.636) showed comparable eradication rate between the two groups, indicating a noninferior eradication rate (the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval over -10% [-7.9% and -7.87%, respectively]). Adverse events more commonly occurred in the bismuth-containing quadruple-therapy group (8.8% vs 16.0%, P = 0.012), while patient compliance and symptom improvement of the two regimens were comparable.

CONCLUSION

Triple therapy containing berberine, amoxicillin and rabeprazole is noninferior to bismuth-containing quadruple therapy in the initial treatment for H. pylori eradication.

Eradication rate and safety of a "simplified rescue therapy": 14-day vonoprazan and amoxicillin dual regimen as rescue therapy on treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection previously failed in eradication: A real-world, retrospective clinical study in China

BACKGROUND

The currently recommended quadruple regimens as rescue therapy on Helicobacter pylori infection were not as effective as being supposed, especially in those who had failed two or more times. Dual regimen composed of vonoprazan (a potassium-competitive acid blocker) and amoxicillin might be an option since it's effective in eradication therapy as first-line treatment.

OBJECTIVE

As a real-world retrospective study, data were collected to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vonoprazan and amoxicillin dual regimen as rescue therapy in Helicobacter pylori positive patients who had failed one or more times in their previous treatment.

METHODS

From May 2020 to June 2021, the clinical data of patients who had failed in Helicobacter pylori infection treatment were collected in GI department of Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China. Patients were given vonoprazan 20 mg or 40 mg per day and amoxicillin 3000 mg per day (VA dual therapy) for 14 days as rescue treatment. Helicobacter pylori status was evaluated by ¹³ C-urease breath test 6 weeks after treatment. All adverse effects during treatment were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 186 patients were enrolled, including 67 males and 119 females. All of them had failed for 1 ~ 7 times in their previous treatment. Successful eradication was achieved in 172 patients (92.5%, 172/186). The adverse effects (referring to skin rash, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and headache), mainly mild and did not cause quit of treatment, occurred in 14 patients (7.5%, 14/186) and all symptoms relieved spontaneously.

CONCLUSIONS

Dual regimen composed of vonoprazan and amoxicillin for 14 days was effective and safe as rescue therapy in Helicobacter pylori infection treatment. It could be chosen as a "simplified rescue therapy" with relatively high eradication rate no matter how many times the patients had failed and what regimens they had used previously.

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.

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.