Comparison of 7- and 14-Day Eradication Therapy for Helicobacter pylori with First- and Second-Line Regimen: Randomized Clinical Trial

Comparison of Helicobacter pylori eradication rates between 7 and 14 days of tailored therapy according to clarithromycin resistance test: A randomized, multicenter, non-inferiority study

BACKGROUND

Recently, a simple tailored therapy based on clarithromycin resistance has been implemented as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy. Nonetheless, despite the tailored therapy and frequent adverse events, studies on treatment period are lacking. This study aimed to compare the H. pylori eradication rates of 7-day and 14-day tailored therapy regimens according to clarithromycin resistance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This multicenter, prospective, randomized, noninferiority trial enrolled H. pylori-positive patients who were randomly assigned to 7-day and 14-day regimen groups, depending on the presence or absence of clarithromycin resistance by 23S rRNA gene point mutations. Standard triple therapy (STT) (20 mg rabeprazole, 1 g amoxicillin, and 500 mg clarithromycin twice daily) or bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) (20 mg rabeprazole twice daily, 500 mg metronidazole thrice daily, 120 mg bismuth four times daily, and 500 mg tetracycline four times daily) was assigned by clarithromycin resistance. Eradication rates and adverse events were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 314 and 278 patients were included in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses, respectively; however, 31 patients were lost to follow-up, whereas five patients violated the protocol. Both the 7-day and 14-day regimens showed similar eradication rates in the ITT (7-day vs. 14-day: 78.3% vs. 78.3%, p > 0.99) and PP (87.9% vs. 89.1%, p = 0.851) analyses. Non-inferiority was confirmed (p < 0.025). A subgroup analysis according to clarithromycin resistance (clarithromycin resistance rate: 28.7%) revealed no significant difference in eradication rates between the 7-day and 14-day STT (90.0% vs. 90.1%, p > 0.99) and BQT (82.5% vs. 86.5%, p = 0.757). Furthermore, adverse events did not significantly differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The 7-day triple and quadruple therapy according to clarithromycin resistance showed similar eradication rates, as compared to the 14-day therapy.

Clarifying varied Helicobacter pylori eradication therapies: A comprehensive review

Current global variations exist in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication regimens. Triple therapy (TT), bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT), and high-dose dual therapy (HDDT) currently represent the predominant regimens. These regimens diverge in terms of treatment duration, the utilization of susceptibility testing, acid-inhibiting drug administration, and patient education. We conducted a comprehensive systematic literature review on these H. pylori treatment regimens. Our review aims to provide standardized treatment recommendations for H. pylori, reducing the risk of amalgamating findings from diverse eradication regimens. Recent research suggests that the optimal treatment duration for TT and BQT may be 14 and 10 days, respectively. Selecting the appropriate treatment duration for HDDT should rely on regional research evidence, and 14 days may be the optimal duration. The incorporation of susceptibility testing in TT is of paramount importance. In the case of BQT, the absence of susceptibility testing may be considered as an option, contingent upon cost and availability, and should be determined based on local antibiotic resistance patterns and the efficacy of empirical regimens. The type and dosage of acid-inhibiting drug would affect the efficacy of these regimens. Acid-inhibiting drugs should be selected and applied reasonably according to the population and therapies. Adequate patient education plays a pivotal role in the eradication of H. pylori. In regions with accessible local research evidence, the 10-day empirical BQT regimen may be considered a preferred choice for H. pylori eradication.

Effective Eradication Regimen and Duration According to the Clarithromycin Susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori Determined Using Dual Priming Oligonucleotide-Based Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

Background/Aims

Dual priming oligonucleotide-based multiplex polymerase chain reaction (DPO-PCR) has recently been used for both the detection of Helicobacter pylori and the identification of H. pylori 23S ribosomal RNA point mutations that cause clarithromycin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the duration of effective standard triple therapy in a clarithromycin susceptible group and of bismuth-based quadruple therapy in a resistant group based on DPO-PCR.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the electronic medical records of 184 patients who, between September 2019 and December 2020, received eradication therapy following detection of H. pylori, and the subsequent identification of the clarithromycin susceptibility of their H. pylori using DPO-PCR. Patients were treated with 7- or 14-day standard triple therapy in the clarithromycin susceptible group, whereas 7- or 14-day bismuth-based quadruple therapy in the clarithromycin resistance group.

Results

In the clarithromycin susceptible group, per-protocol analyses showed eradication rates of 87.5% (42/48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 77.1% to 95.8%) for 7-day therapy and 87.2% (41/47; 95% CI, 78.7% to 95.7%) for 14-day therapy (p=0.969). The eradication rates in the clarithromycin resistance group were 91.4% (32/35; 95% CI, 80.0% to 100.0%) for 7-day therapy and 90.3% (28/31; 95% CI, 77.4% to 100.0%) for 14-day therapy (p=0.876). There was no significant difference in the eradication rates, patient compliance, or rate of adverse events between the 7- and 14-day therapies for both groups.

Conclusions

Compared to the 14-day therapy, 7-day eradication therapy is sufficient after DPO-PCR-based clarithromycin susceptibility testing.

The benefit of the bismuth add-on to the 2-week clarithromycin-based triple regimen for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a propensity score-matched retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Bismuth salt is bacteriostatic and bactericidal against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Little is known about the benefit of bismuth itself. Recently in Korea, government regulation changed to allow bismuth add-on to conventional triple eradication regimens. Study aimed the additional benefit of the bismuth add-on to the 2-week clarithromycin-based triple regimen for H. pylori eradication.

METHODS

A single-centered retrospective review of electronic medical records was conducted in Seoul, Korea. Treatment-naïve H. pylori infected subjects treated with the clarithromycin-based triple regimen were consecutively enrolled. After propensity score matching, 118 subjects who were treated with rabeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, and clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily for 14 days (PAC) and matched 118 subjects with PAC plus bismuth subcitrate potassium 300 mg twice daily for 14 days (PACB) were included in the final analysis. The primary endpoint was the eradication success rates in each group.Article title: Kindly check and confirm the edit made in the article title.Yes, I agree with the article title.  RESULTS: The eradication success rates were 91.5% (86.4-96.6%) for PACB regimen and 81.4% (74.2-88.5%) for PAC in the intention-to-treat analysis, and 97.3% (94.2-100%) for PACB and 88.1% (81.9-94.3%) for PAC in the per-protocol analysis. The relative risk of eradication failure for PACB over PAC was calculated as 0.184 (0.0492-0688, p value = 0.005) in multiple regression logistic analysis. Compliance and adverse event incidence were not different between the two groups.Author names: Please confirm if the author names are presented accurately and in the correct sequence (given name, middle name/initial, family name). Author 1 Given name: [Da Wit], Last name: [Shin]. Author 2 Given name: [Dae Young], Last name: [Cheung]. Author 3 Given name: [Ji Hee], Last name: [Song]. Author 4 Given name: [Fan Hee], Last name: [Lee]. Author 5 Given name: [Jin Il], Last name: [Kim]. Yes. I found the names presented are accurate and in the correct sequence. Author 1 Given name: [Da Wit], Last name: [Shin].Author 2 Given name: [Dae Young], Last name: [Cheung].Author 3 Given name: [Ji Hee], Last name: [Song].Author 6 Given name: [Han Hee], Last name: [Lee].Author 7 Given name: [Jin Il], Last name: [Kim].

CONCLUSION

The bismuth add-on to the 2-week clarithromycin-based triple regimen increased the eradication success rate.

Prediction of the Drug–Drug Interaction Potential between Tegoprazan and Amoxicillin/Clarithromycin Using the Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Model

Tegoprazan is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker. This study investigated the effect of drug–drug interaction on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tegoprazan co-administered with amoxicillin and clarithromycin, the first-line therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, using physiologically based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) modeling. The previously reported tegoprazan PBPK/PD model was modified and applied. The clarithromycin PBPK model was developed based on the model provided by the SimCYP® compound library. The amoxicillin model was constructed using the middle-out approach. All of the observed concentration–time profiles were covered well by the predicted profiles with the 5th and 95th percentiles. The mean ratios of predicted to observed PK parameters, including the area under the curve (AUC), maximum plasma drug concentration (Cmax), and clearance, were within the 30% intervals for the developed models. Two-fold ratios of predicted fold-changes of Cmax and AUC from time 0 to 24 h to observed data were satisfied. The predicted PD endpoints, including median intragastric pH and percentage holding rate at pH above 4 or 6 on day 1 and day 7, were close to the corresponding observed data. This investigation allows evaluation of the effects of CYP3A4 perpetrators on tegoprazan PK and PD changes, thus providing clinicians with the rationale for co-administration dosing adjustment.

Antibiotic Resistance of Helicobacter pylori in Patients with Peptic Ulcer

Background and Objectives: To determine the antibiotic resistance rate of H. pylori among patients with peptic ulcer. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional monocentric study was conducted from January to December 2021 among patients aged from 16 years with gastrointestinal symptoms and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Gastric mucosa biopsies were collected at the edges of the ulcer or at lesion sites for H. pylori culture. Five antibiotics (amoxicillin (AMX), clarithromycin (CLR), metronidazole (MTZ), levofloxacin (LEV), and tetracycline (TET)) were selected for antibiotic susceptibility testing. Results: One hundred and twenty-five patients were included, and the sex ratio was 0.6. Their mean age was 47.3 ± 14.2 years. All of the participants had gastritis, and 24.0% had duodenitis. A total of 21.6% of patients had a duodenal ulcer, and 12.8% had an antral ulcer. A total of 40 specimens have grown in H. pylori culture. The proportion of resistance to AMX, CLR, MTZ, LEV, and TET was 27.5%, 50%, 67.5%, 35%, and 5%, respectively. The proportion of multidrug resistance was 22.5%. The proportion of double resistance to AMX + CLR was 20.0%, AMX + MTZ was 15.0%, AMX + LEV was 2.5%, CLR + MTZ was 32.5%, and TET + MTZ was 5.0%. Conclusions: Our research results show that the treatment with MTX-TET or LVX-AMOX has the highest sensitivity rate. Therefore, practitioners should refer to these regimes to eradicate H. pylori in patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers. The reports on H. pylori eradication from different geographic areas show heterogeneous results. Therefore, continuous monitoring of antibiotic resistance of H. pylori in each population is very important. Having evidence helps clinicians to treat patients most effectively, reduce treatment costs, and limit the rate of antibiotic resistance.

RT-qPCR-based tests for SARS-CoV-2 detection in pooled saliva samples for massive population screening to monitor epidemics

Swab, RT-qPCR tests remain the gold standard of diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2 infections. These tests are costly and have limited throughput. We developed a 3-gene, seminested RT-qPCR test with SYBR green-based detection designed to be oversensitive rather than overspecific for high-throughput diagnostics of populations. This two-tier approach depends on decentralized self-collection of saliva samples, pooling, 1st-tier testing with highly sensitive screening test and subsequent 2nd-tier testing of individual samples from positive pools with the IVD test. The screening test was able to detect five copies of the viral genome in 10 µl of isolated RNA with 50% probability and 18.8 copies with 95% probability and reached Ct values that were highly linearly RNA concentration-dependent. In the side-by-side comparison, the screening test attained slightly better results than the commercially available IVD-certified RT-qPCR diagnostic test DiaPlexQ (100% specificity and 89.8% sensitivity vs. 100% and 73.5%, respectively). Testing of 1475 individual clinical samples pooled in 374 pools of four revealed 0.8% false positive pools and no false negative pools. In weekly prophylactic testing of 113 people within 6 months, a two-tier testing approach enabled the detection of 18 infected individuals, including several asymptomatic individuals, with substantially lower cost than individual RT-PCR testing.

The Influence of Past Metronidazole Exposure on the Outcome of Helicobacter pylori Eradication

Background

Bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT) is recommended as empirical first-line therapy because it is not affected by antibiotic resistance. We examined whether past exposure to metronidazole affected BQT outcomes.

Methods

The records of seven hospitals were searched for patients who received BQT for Helicobacter pylori eradication between 2009 and 2020. The association between past metronidazole exposure and the eradication rate was evaluated.

Results

This study was a multicenter retrospective study. Around 37,602 people tested for H. pylori infection were identified, and 7,233 received BQT. About 2,802 (38.7%) underwent a 13C-urea breath test to confirm eradication. The BQT efficacy was 86.4% among patients without metronidazole exposure and 72.8% among patients with exposure (p < 0.001). The eradication rate of BQT 14 days in patients with past exposure was higher than that of BQT <14 days (85.5 vs. 66.0%, p = 0.009). Multivariate analysis revealed that past metronidazole exposure [odds ratio (OR) 2.6, 95% CI 1.8–3.7; p < 0.001] and BQT <14 days (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–2.0; p = 0.002) were independent risk factors for eradication failure.

Conclusion

Past metronidazole exposure significantly lowered the BQT eradication rate. BQT 14 days should be recommended for patients with suspected metronidazole exposure.

Cost-Effectiveness of Empirical Bismuth-Based Quadruple Therapy and Tailored Therapy After Clarithromycin Resistance Tests for Helicobacter pylori Eradication

BACKGROUND

The eradication rate of clarithromycin-based standard triple therapy (STT) for Helicobacter pylori infection has decreased due to clarithromycin resistance (CR). We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of tailored therapy according to CR test results, and compared the results of STT with those of empirical bismuth quadruple therapy (BQT).

METHODS

The prospectively collected data of 490 H. pylori-positive patients with chronic gastritis or peptic ulcer disease were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 292 patients underwent CR testing using dual-priming oligonucleotide-based polymerase chain reaction. The tailored group (n = 292) consisted of patients treated with STT for 7 days and BQT for 10 days as per their CR test results. The remaining patients were assigned to the empirical group (n = 198) and received BQT for 10 days without a CR test. The eradication rate, adverse events and medical costs associated with H. pylori eradication therapy were investigated.

RESULTS

In the tested patients (tailored group), the CR-positive rate was 32.2% (n = 94/292). The eradication rate according to an intention-to-treat analysis was 87.7% in the tailored group and 91.8% in the empirical group (P = 0.124); the respective rates were 94.4% and 97.9% by per-protocol analysis (P = 0.010). The frequency of adverse events was lower in the empirical group than the tailored group (35.1% vs. 52.7%, P < 0.001). Total per capita medical costs were $406.50 and $503.50, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Ten-day empirical BQT was more effective, safer, and less expensive than tailored therapy based on a CR test for H. pylori eradication.

Probiotics as the live microscopic fighters against Helicobacter pylori gastric infections

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the causative agent of stomach diseases such as duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer, in this regard incomplete eradication of this bacterium has become to a serious concern. Probiotics are a group of the beneficial bacteria which increase the cure rate of H. pylori infections through various mechanisms such as competitive inhibition, co-aggregation ability, enhancing mucus production, production of bacteriocins, and modulating immune response.

Result

In this study, according to the received articles, the anti-H. pylori activities of probiotics were reviewed. Based on studies, administration of standard antibiotic therapy combined with probiotics plays an important role in the effective treatment of H. pylori infection. According to the literature, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, and Saccharomyces boulardii can effectively eradicate H. pylori infection. Our results showed that in addition to decrease gastrointestinal symptoms, probiotics can reduce the side effects of antibiotics (especially diarrhea) by altering the intestinal microbiome.

Conclusion

Nevertheless, antagonist activities of probiotics are H. pylori strain-specific. In general, these bacteria can be used for therapeutic purposes such as adjuvant therapy, drug-delivery system, as well as enhancing immune system against H. pylori infection.

Efficacy of Seven-Day Potassium-Competitive Acid Blocker-Based First-Line Helicobacter Pylori Eradication Therapy Administered with Bismuth

PURPOSE

To determine the efficacy of a potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB)-based first-line eradication therapy with bismuth compared with that of proton pump inhibitor-based first-line therapy with bismuth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eradication-naive H. pylori-infected patients were consecutively enrolled from January to November 2020. Before approval of the P-CAB-based eradication therapy, twice daily administration of a regimen containing lansoprazole 30 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, clarithromycin 500 mg, and bismuth potassium citrate 300 mg was prescribed for 7 days. After approval, lansoprazole was replaced with tegoprazan (50 mg). Clarithromycin resistance was examined in patients who underwent gastroscopic biopsy at our center. Efficacy was assessed via the ¹³C-urea breath test.

RESULTS

Of the 381 eradication-naive patients, eradication was successful in 88.3% (151/171) treated with tegoprazan and 82.8% (140/169) treated with lansoprazole in per-protocol analysis (p=0.151). In intention-to-treat analysis, eradication rates were 78.8% (152/193) in the tegoprazan and 74.5% (140/188) in the lansoprazole group (p=0.323). Clarithromycin resistance was observed in 30 (20.1%) of the 148 patients (74 from each group), and only four of the 16 clarithromycin-resistant patients in the tegoprazan group achieved successful eradication. Clarithromycin resistance [odds ratio (OR)=42.1, 95% confidence intervals (CIs)=12.6-141.0] and poor patient compliance (OR=17.1, 95% CIs=1.6-189.1) were independent risk factors for eradication failure.

CONCLUSION

In eradication-naive patients, eradication success rates for 7-day first-line triple therapy regimen exceeded 82% with bismuth administration. In clarithromycin-resistant patients, neither tegoprazan 50 mg nor lansoprazole 30 mg achieved acceptable eradication rates when administered twice daily for 7 days.

Second-Line Bismuth-Containing Quadruple Therapy for Helicobacterpylori Infection: A 12-Year Study of Annual Eradication Rates

Background: Bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BQT) consisting of a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI), bismuth, metronidazole and tetracycline is recommended as a second-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection when PPI-based standard triple therapy (STT) consisting of a PPI, amoxicillin and clarithromycin is unsuccessful. The purpose of this study was to analyze the long-term results of BQT as a second-line therapy to determine its effectiveness. Methods: This study included 643 subjects who failed first-line STT and received 7 or 10–14 days of BQT as a second-line therapy. We retrospectively analyzed the annual H. pylori eradication rates, demographic factors and adverse events. Results: The overall eradication rates by intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses were 80.7% (519/643) and 93.3% (519/556), respectively. By PP analysis, the eradication rates for 2008–2011, 2012–2015, and 2016–2019 were 93.3%, 91.0%, and 96.4%, respectively (p = 0.145). There were no significant differences between the 7-day group and the 10–14-day group in both the ITT (79.7% vs. 86.0%, p = 0.148) and the PP analyses (92.7% vs. 96.6%, p = 0.187). A multivariate analysis showed that current smoking was associated with eradication failure. Eighty-nine subjects (16.0%) suffered adverse events, mainly gastrointestinal symptoms, but only six cases were severe. Conclusions: BQT as a second-line therapy is an effective treatment for H. pylori. Treatment for 10–14 days showed a higher eradication rate compared with a 7-day regimen, but not significantly.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori Eradication Regimens in Lithuania during the Years 2013-2020: Data from the European Registry on Helicobacter pylori Management (Hp-EuReg)

Background and Objectives: The prevalence of H. pylori in Eastern Europe remains quite high; however, there is insufficient data on the eradication regimens and their effectiveness. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic methods and treatment of H. pylori infection as well as their adherence to Maastricht V/Florence consensus during the years 2013–2020 in Lithuania. Materials and Methods: Sub-study of the “European Registry on H. pylori Management” (Hp-EuReg), international multicenter prospective non-interventional registry of the routine clinical practice. Lithuanian data from the years 2013–2020 were analyzed for effectiveness on a modified intention-to-treat (mITT) basis. 2000 adult patients, diagnosed with H. pylori infection, were included. Data were compared to the European Maastricht V guidelines. Results: Triple-therapy was used in 90% of the cases. In 91% of the first-line prescriptions, standard triple therapy (STT) was used. The most common second-line treatment was a combination of PPI, amoxicillin and levofloxacin (PPI+A+L) (47%). The overall effectiveness in 552 cases valid for analysis was 90% by mITT. In first-line treatment, the STT effectiveness was 90% and second-line treatment with PPI+A+L achieved 92% by mITT. Increasing overall H. pylori eradication rates were observed: from 72% in 2013 to more than 90% in 2018–2020, as well as a shift from 7 to 10–14 days treatments duration throughout 2013–2020. Conclusions: In Lithuania, the prescribed eradication regimens for H. pylori were in accordance with the international guidelines but diagnostic methods and treatment duration only partially met Maastricht V/Florence guidelines. The eradication effectiveness was improved progressively during the years 2018–2020, reaching ≥90% cure rates.

Pharmacodynamic evaluation of YH4808 for Helicobacter pylori eradication in healthy subjects

YH4808 is a novel selective potassium-competitive acid blocker demonstrated to be safe and to have inhibitory effects against gastric acid secretion in previous studies. A randomized, open-label, multiple-dose, 3-treatment, 1-period, parallel design study was conducted to compare the Helicobacter pylori eradication rates and acid suppression capacities of three regimens in 60 healthy subjects with H. pylori-positive, and the potential of YH4808 to replace proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) in standard regimens for H. pylori eradication. Group 1 received YH4808, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin as a novel triple regimen, while Group 2 received YH4808 and amoxicillin only, and Group 3 received esomeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin, as the standard triple regimen. H. pylori eradication rates were 85.0% for Group 1, 25.0% for Group 2, and 83.3% for Group 3. Relative response rate between Group 1 and 3 was 1.02 (0.50–2.07; 95% CI, χ² test p = 0.8881). Furthermore, the novel triple regimen, YH4808, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin, stably inhibited acid secretion and maintained a gastric pH greater than 4 or 5 for 24 hours, which was comparable to the pH range in the standard triple regimen. However, the onset times of the YH4808 regimens were earlier than that for the regimens using esomeprazole. There were no differences in the incidences or severity of adverse events among the three groups. Overall, the novel triple regimen was safe and well-tolerated. YH4808 could replace PPIs in standard triple regimens used for H. pylori eradication.

The Prevalence of Multidrug Resistance of Helicobacter pylori and Its Impact on Eradication in Korea from 2017 to 2019: A Single-Center Study

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the major factors determining the efficacy of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. This study aimed to estimate the recent prevalence of multidrug resistance of H. pylori and its impact on eradication in Korea. A total of 174 patients were prospectively enrolled at Chung-Ang University Hospital from 2017 to 2019. H. pylori strains were isolated from the gastric body and antrum. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics were determined by the serial twofold agar dilution method. Eradication results were reviewed and analyzed in connection with antibiotic resistance. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 51.7% (90/174). The culture success rate was 77.8% (70/90). The resistance rates for clarithromycin, metronidazole, amoxicillin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin were 28.6% (20/70), 27.1% (19/70), 20.0% (14/70), 18.6% (13/70), 42.9% (30/70), and 42.9% (30/70), respectively. The multidrug resistance (resistance to two or more classes of antimicrobials) rate was 42.9% (30/70). Dual resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole was confirmed in 8.6% (6/70). Eradication with a first-line treatment was successful in 75% (36/48), and those who received second-line treatment all achieved successful eradication. The rate of multidrug resistance is increasing, and standard triple therapy (STT) is no longer an acceptable first-line option for H. pylori eradication in Korea.

Review - Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection 2020

This review summarizes important studies regarding Helicobacter pylori therapy published from April 2019 to April 2020. The main themes that emerge involve studies assessing antibiotic resistance, and there is also growing momentum behind the utility of vonoprazan as an alternative to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy and also bismuth-based regimens as a first-line regimen. Antibiotic resistance is rising wherever it is being assessed, and clarithromycin resistance in particular has reached a point where it may no longer be a viable therapy without previous testing in many regions of the world. The evidence for the efficacy of a bismuth-based quadruple therapy as a first-line therapy is now very clearly established, and there is substantial evidence that it is the best performing first-line therapy. The utility of vonoprazan as an alternative to PPI therapy, especially in resistant and difficult-to-treat groups, has also been considered in great detail this year, and it may offer an opportunity in the near future to reduce the problem of antibiotic resistance.