Antimicrobial susceptibility testing before first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with dual or triple antibiotic resistance

Effectiveness of Rifabutin-Based Regimens in Treating Helicobacter pylori Infections

Helicobacter pylori has been reported as a health problem worldwide, affecting a sizable portion of people. Peptic ulcers, gastric cancer, and various extra gastric conditions are associated with this bacterium. The rampant overprescribing of antibiotics has led to the emergence of H. pylori strains resistant to multiple antibiotics, causing a decline in the effectiveness of current treatments. Recently, there has been growing interest in researching alternative treatment options for H. pylori infections that do not respond to initial therapy. Rifabutin, a rifamycin derivative initially designed for tuberculosis treatment and preventing Mycobacterium avium complex infection, has gained attention as a potential rescue medication. It has shown efficacy against H. pylori and the potential to eradicate the bacterium when combined with other antibiotics. This systematic review article focuses on using rifabutin-based regimens as a treatment option after initial treatments have failed. The authors screened literature published in the last five years, between 2017 and 2022, across various search engines and closely examined relevant studies following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. The search covered a variety of electronic databases and focused on H. pylori gastritis, rifabutin-based treatment plans, and in vivo investigations in healthy individuals. The comprehensive review provides convincing evidence that rifabutin-based regimens are effective rescue treatments for H. pylori infections. Multiple studies in various areas consistently demonstrated high eradication rates, ranging from 70% to 90%, when rifabutin-containing regimens were used. The analysis found that only a tiny percentage of H. pylori strains (1%) were resistant to rifabutin therapy, further supporting the viability of Rifabutin as an alternative when other antibiotics failed to eradicate H. pylori. The cost of Rifabutin is a significant factor that may limit its accessibility, particularly in resource-constrained settings where H. pylori infection is common. Moreover, the potential side effects of Rifabutin, such as hematological problems, rashes, and digestive issues, need to be considered. However, these side effects are typically manageable and can be reduced by combining Rifabutin with other antibiotics. In conclusion, this systematic review provides evidence supporting the effectiveness of regimens derived from Rifabutin in eliminating H. pylori infections after initial therapy failure. Due to the observation that Rifabutin effectively eradicates resistant H. pylori infections, it can be considered a suitable choice for rescue therapy. Rifabutin-containing regimens should be reserved as fourth- or later-line therapy options, considering economic factors, the risk of microbial resistance, potential side effects, and the availability of alternative medications. Future research should focus on optimizing rifabutin-based regimens and investigating combination therapies that have better H. pylori eradication rates while also addressing the problem of resistant strains.

Metagenomic insights into the distribution, mobility, and hosts of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in activated sludge under starvation stress

Extracellular antibiotic resistance genes (eARGs) are important emerging environmental pollutants in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Nutritional substrate deficiency (i.e., starvation) frequently occurs in WWTPs owing to annual maintenance, water quality fluctuation, and sludge storage; and it can greatly alter the antibiotic resistance and extracellular DNA content of bacteria. However, the fate and corresponding transmission risk of eARGs in activated sludge under starvation stress remain largely unknown. Herein, we used metagenomic sequencing to explore the effects of starvation scenarios (carbon, nitrogen, and/or phosphorus deficiency) and environmental conditions (alternating anaerobic-aerobic, anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic) on the distribution, mobility, and hosts of eARGs in activated sludge. The results showed that 30 days of starvation reduced the absolute abundances of eARGs by 40.9%-88.2%, but high-risk dual and multidrug resistance genes persisted. Starvation, particularly the simultaneous lack of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus under aerobic conditions, effectively alleviated eARGs by reducing the abundance of extracellular mobile genetic elements (eMGEs). Starvation also altered the profile of bacterial hosts of eARGs and the bacterial community composition, the latter of which had an indirect positive effect on eARGs via changing eMGEs. Our findings shed light on the response patterns and mechanisms of eARGs in activated sludge under starvation conditions and highlight starvation as a potential strategy to mitigate the risk of previously neglected eARGs in WWTPs.

Helicobacter pylori Infection: Antibiotic Resistance and Solutions for Effective Management in Africa

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is ubiquitous worldwide, with prevalence rates of greater than 70% in Africa. Symptomatic patients present with foregut gastrointestinal symptoms which can be readily diagnosed with standardized non-invasive or invasive tests. The biggest challenge, however, is in the management of this condition with rising antimicrobial resistance rates to most of the antibiotics recommended for therapy. This is a problem worldwide, but more specifically in Africa, where the socio-economic and political climate is such that eradication of this organism seems impossible. Furthermore, the recommended antimicrobial susceptibility testing for drug resistance is not widely available in Africa due to the lack of infrastructural as well as human resources. With the widespread unregulated use of antibiotics in some parts of Africa, the figures of antimicrobial resistance are likely to soar. In the face of these significant challenges, this 'perspectives' article aims to address the issue of antimicrobial resistance in Africa, by providing achievable and targeted goals to curb the spread of infection and rising antimicrobial resistance.

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.

Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori isolated from children in Chongqing, China

The resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) to antibiotics has been increasing worldwide and varies across different geographic areas and times. Limited studies reported the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and its related gene mutations in children in Chongqing, a city located in southwest China. We collected 112 H. pylori strains isolated from gastric biopsies of 156 children at Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and calculated resistance rates of these strains to six antibiotics. The A2143G and A2142G mutations in 23S rRNA gene, which are related to clarithromycin resistance, and Asn87 and Asp91 mutations in gyrA gene, which are related to levofloxacin resistance, were investigated in 102 strains. The resistance rates to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin were 47.3% (53/112), 88.4% (99/112), and 18.8% (21/112), respectively. No resistance to amoxicillin, tetracycline, and furazolidone was observed. Dual and triple resistance percentages were 37.5% (42/112) and 10.7% (12/112), respectively. The detection rate of A2143G mutation in 23S rRNA gene was 83.3% (40/48). The detection rates of mutations of Asn87 and Asp91 in gyrA gene were 52.6% (10/19) and 36.8% (7/19), respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin was high in children in Chongqing, China. The A2143G mutation was detected in most clarithromycin-resistant strains, and Asn87 and Asp91 of gyrA mutation points were common in levofloxacin-resistant strains. In clinical practice, anti-H. pylori therapy should be individualized based on a susceptibility test.  What is Known: • The resistance of H. pylori to antibiotics changes with the geographic areas and that in Asia the resistance rate is high. • Mutation plays a vital role in antibiotics resistance of H. pylori. What is New: • High resistance rates to single and multiple antibiotics in children of Chongqing, a city located in southwest China, were observed. • Molecular assays showed good conformance with susceptibility test results to direct antibiotic resistance of H. pylori.

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.

Emphasizing the importance of successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori on initial treatment

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the most important risk factor for gastric cancer and plays an initiating role in the development of intestinal-type gastric cancer. Eradication of H. pylori significantly reduces the incidence and mortality of gastric cancer. International expert consensus recommends eradication treatment for all infected individuals unless competing considerations. However, large-scale H. pylori eradication treatments have led to increasing rates of resistance to multiple antibiotics, together with factors such as coccoid transformation, host CYP2C19 gene polymorphisms, and inappropriate treatment regimens, resulting in a gradual decline in H. pylori eradication rates. Currently, empirical and repeated eradication of H. pylori treatment is common in clinical practice, which will certainly lead to a further increase in antibiotic resistance, resulting in a great waste of medical resources and an increased psychological burden on patients and their relatives. Therefore, successful eradication of H. pylori on initial treatment should be given high priority, and the implementation of personalized treatment is essential.

Incorporation of Limosilactobacillus fermentum UCO-979C with Anti-Helicobacter pylori and Immunomodulatory Activities in Various Ice Cream Bases

Limosilactobacillus fermentum UCO-979C is a probiotic strain possessing anti-Helicobacter pylori and immunomodulatory activity. The aim of this work was to examine if this strain maintains its probiotic properties and its viability when added to dairy-based ice creams (cookies and cream, Greek yogurt, and chocolate with brownie) or to fruit-based ice creams (pineapple and raspberry) stored at −18 °C for 90 days. The probiotic anti-H. pylori activity using the well diffusion test, its immunomodulatory activity was measured using transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β₁) cytokine production by human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells, and its viability was measured using the microdrop technique. Assays were performed in triplicate. The L. fermentum UCO-979C strain maintained strong anti-H. pylori activity in dairy-based ice creams and mild activity in fruit-based ice cream. The production of pro-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β₁ on AGS cells was higher in the probiotic recovered from Greek yogurt ice cream, maintaining a viability exceeding 10⁷ colony-forming units/mL. The addition of the probiotic to ice creams did not significantly influence the physicochemical properties of the product. These data show the great potential of the L. fermentum UCO-979C strain in producing probiotic dairy-based and fruit-based ice creams.

Tailored susceptibility-guided therapy via gastric juice PCR for the first-line H. pylori eradication, a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Clarithromycin-based standard triple therapy is still commonly adopted by 81.4% of physicians in real-world practice but yields low eradication rates. Therefore, we conducted this study to compare the efficacy of gastric juice-guided therapy for first-line eradication with the standard triple therapy, in order to provide an alternative to real-world practice.

METHODS

A total of 182 treatment-naïve Hp-infected patients were included and randomly allocated to either susceptibility-guided therapy (SGT) with gastric juice PCR or Clarithromycin-based standard triple therapy (STT) for 7 days.

RESULTS

The intention-to-treat eradication rates were 89% (81/91) in SGT and 75.8% in STT (p < 0.031). The per-protocol eradication rates were 91.0% (81/89) in SGT and 79.3% (69/87) in STT (p < 0.034). Among the subgroups of different antibiotic resistance, patients with SGT demonstrated superior eradication rates (91.7% vs 45.5%, p < 0.027) in the subgroup of both clarithromycin resistance and levofloxacin resistance.

CONCLUSION

This prospective randomized controlled trial demonstrated the reliable efficacy of susceptibility-guided therapy via gastric juice PCR for the first-line Hp eradication. In Asia-Pacific area, where standard triple therapy is still adopted by the majority of the physicians, it is a recommended alternative to overcome the increasing 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.

Antibiotic Resistance Prevalence and Trends in Patients Infected with Helicobacter pylori in the Period 2013-2020: Results of the European Registry on H. pylori Management (Hp-EuReg)

Background: Bacterial antibiotic resistance changes over time depending on multiple factors; therefore, it is essential to monitor the susceptibility trends to reduce the resistance impact on the effectiveness of various treatments. Objective: To conduct a time-trend analysis of Helicobacter pylori resistance to antibiotics in Europe. Methods: The international prospective European Registry on Helicobacter pylori Management (Hp-EuReg) collected data on all infected adult patients diagnosed with culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing positive results that were registered at AEG-REDCap e-CRF until December 2020. Results: Overall, 41,562 patients were included in the Hp-EuReg. Culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed on gastric biopsies of 3974 (9.5%) patients, of whom 2852 (7%) were naive cases included for analysis. The number of positive cultures decreased by 35% from the period 2013–2016 to 2017–2020. Concerning naïve patients, no antibiotic resistance was found in 48% of the cases. The most frequent resistances were reported against metronidazole (30%), clarithromycin (25%), and levofloxacin (20%), whereas resistances to tetracycline and amoxicillin were below 1%. Dual and triple resistances were found in 13% and 6% of the cases, respectively. A decrease (p < 0.001) in the metronidazole resistance rate was observed between the 2013–2016 (33%) and 2017–2020 (24%) periods. Conclusion: Culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing for Helicobacter pylori are scarcely performed (<10%) in Europe. In naïve patients, Helicobacter pylori resistance to clarithromycin remained above 15% throughout the period 2013–2020 and resistance to levofloxacin, as well as dual or triple resistances, were high. A progressive decrease in metronidazole resistance was observed.

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.

Clinical impact of vonoprazan-based dual therapy with amoxicillin for H. pylori infection in a treatment-naïve cohort of junior high school students in Japan

BACKGROUND

Although 7-day triple therapy, consisting of vonoprazan, amoxicillin (AMO), and clarithromycin (CLA), is recommended for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication in adults. However, the importance of reducing antibiotic use in pediatric patients is well recognized. Therefore, our aim was to compare the effectiveness and safety of vonoprazan and AMO (VA) dual therapy to vonoprazan-based (VAC) triple therapy for H. pylori eradication in a cohort of treatment-naïve junior high school students in Japan.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study of second-year junior high-school students in Yurihonjo and Nikaho Cities, Japan. Between 2015 and 2017, 161 students were treated with VAC-triple therapy (20 mg vonoprazan, 750 mg AMO, and 200 mg CLA, twice a day for 7 days), while 60 students were treated with VA-dual therapy (20 mg vonoprazan and 750 mg AMO, twice a day for 7 days) since 2018. The success rate of H. pylori eradication and drug-related adverse events were compared between the two therapy groups. Intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Groups were comparable at baseline. The ITT and PP eradication rates were 85.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 75.8-94.2%) and 86.4% (95% CI 77.4-95.5%), respectively, with VA-dual therapy and 82.0% (95% CI 76.0%-87.9%) and 84.1% (95% CI 78.3-89.8%), respectively, with VAC-triple therapy. VA-dual therapy was non-inferior to VAC-triple therapy (ITT, p = 0.018; PP, p = 0.020). The adverse event rate was 10.0% with VA-dual therapy and 19.8% with VAC-triple therapy (p = 0.108).

CONCLUSIONS

The effectiveness of VA-dual therapy was comparable to that of VAC-triple therapy in H. pylori treatment-naïve junior high school students, while reducing the use of antibiotics.

Rifamycin use for treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: a review of recent data

Helicobacter pylori eradication has become increasingly challenging. We focused on recent data about rifamycin resistance and rifamycin-containing regimens. Rifampin (rifampicin) resistance rates were <1-18.8% (often ≤7%), while those to rifabutin were 0-<4%. To detect rifabutin resistance by rifampin, 4 mg/l breakpoint was suggested. Eradication success by rifaximin-based regimens was disappointing (<62%), while that of rifabutin-containing regimens was 54.5->96%, reaching >81% in four studies. Some newer rifamycin analogs like TNP-2092 need further investigation. Briefly, although rifabutin-based regimens carry a risk of adverse effects or increasing mycobacterial resistance, they may be a rational choice for some multidrug-resistant H. pylori strains and as a third-line eradication therapy. Bismuth addition to rifabutin-based therapy and combined rifabutin-containing capsules (Talicia) are promising treatment options.

Best Helicobacter pylori Eradication Strategy in the Era of Antibiotic Resistance

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

Reevaluation of the Efficacy of First Line Regimen for Helicobacter pylori

Background

Helicobacter pylori is a common cause of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and non-ulcer dyspepsia, and is also associated with gastric adenocarcinoma and mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Despite being known about for more than 30 years, finding an effective therapeutic strategy against it remains a challenge.

Aim

There are no US studies evaluating the efficacy of a Levofloxacin based therapy for H. pylori infection. We here intend to study the efficacy of Levofloxacin based triple antibiotic regimen as compared to Clarithromycin based triple therapy and Bismuth based quadruple therapy in our patient population.

Methods

This is a retrospective single center observational study. Patients with Helicobacter pylori infection who underwent treatment for H. pylori with one of the three therapies, i.e. Clarithromycin triple, Bismuth Quadruple or Levofloxacin triple, were included in the study and the eradication rates were compared. The confirmation of the H. pylori was done 4 weeks after the completion of anti-microbial therapy.

Results

A total of 177 individuals underwent the H. pylori treatment in our retrospective review. Of these, 54% (n=97) of patients were treated with Clarithromycin based triple therapy (Group 1), 35% (n=63) were treated with Levofloxacin based regimen (Group 2), and the remaining 11% (n=17) were treated with Bismuth based quadruple therapy (Group 3). The eradication rates were significantly higher in patients treated with Clarithromycin based triple therapy as compared to Levofloxacin based triple therapy and Bismuth quadruple therapy (78.3% vs 49.2% vs 41.1% P=0.001).

Conclusion

In conclusion, our study shows significantly lower eradication rates with Levofloxacin triple therapy among a selected US population. Thus, it may not be a good first-line therapy among this US population and the Clarithromycin based regimen may still be used successfully.

Development of Helicobacter pylori treatment: How do we manage antimicrobial resistance?

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antimicrobial resistance is an urgent, global issue. In 2017, the World Health Organization designated clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori as a high priority bacterium for antibiotic research and development. In addition to clarithromycin, resistance to metronidazole and fluoroquinolones has also increased worldwide. Recent international guidelines for management of H. pylori infection recommend bismuth or non-bismuth quadruple therapy for 14 d as a first-line treatment for H. pylori in areas of high clarithromycin and/or metronidazole resistance. Although these treatment regimens provide acceptable H. pylori eradication rates, the regimens used should not contribute to future resistance of H. pylori to antimicrobials. Moreover, these regimens can promote resistance, due to prolonged therapy with multiple antibiotics. A new strategy that can eradicate H. pylori as well as reduce the antibiotics used is required to prevent future antimicrobial resistance in H. pylori. Dual-therapy with vonoprazan and amoxicillin could be a breakthrough for H. pylori eradication in an era of growing antimicrobial resistance. This regimen may provide a satisfactory eradication rate of H. pylori and also minimize antimicrobial resistance due to single antibiotic use and the strong inhibitory effect of vonoprazan on gastric acid secretion.

Rifabutin-Based Rescue Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Long-Term Prospective Study in a Large Cohort of Difficult-to-Treat Patients

The most commonly used regimens fail to eradicate Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in 5–10% of patients. Those not cured with treatments based on amoxicillin, clarithromycin, nitroimidazoles, fluoroquinolones, bismuth or tetracycline have no other conventional options thereafter. In this prospective long-term monocentric study, patients who failed to eradicate H. pylori following treatment with all conventional antibiotics were included. All subjects were treated with rifabutin 150 mg, amoxicillin 1 g and a standard dose of proton pump inhibitor, twice daily for 14 days. A negative ¹³C-urea breath test was used four weeks after treatment completion as an index of H. pylori eradication. Three hundred and two patients were included. Fifty-four percent (164/302) had peptic ulcer disease while 45.7% (138/302) had gastritis or functional dyspepsia. Per-protocol eradication and intention-to-treat eradication were achieved in 72.7% and 71.5%, respectively. A univariate analysis showed that gender, ethnic background, smoking habits and familial history of gastric diseases were not predictive factors of response, while with multiple logistic regression analysis, the ethnic background (Italian) predicted a poor response in the second period of the study (2010–2017). In conclusion, this study on a large cohort of very difficult-to-treat patients showed that rifabutin-based rescue therapy is an acceptable and safe strategy after multiple eradication failures with conventional antibiotics.

Helicobacter pylori antimicrobial resistance during a 5-year period (2013-2017) in northern Spain and its relationship with the eradication therapies

BACKGROUND

Antibiotic resistance is the main cause for Helicobacter pylori therapy failure. Frequently, empirical regimens have been recommended in patients with various H. pylori eradication failures. In patients with H. pylori-resistant to various families of antibiotics, the treatment guided by antimicrobial susceptibility testing allows the achievement of good eradication rates.

AIM

To evaluate the effectiveness of susceptibility-guided antimicrobial treatment for H. pylori infection in patients with resistance to one or various families of antibiotics.

METHODS

A total of 3170 consecutive patients infected by H. pylori during 2013-2017 were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. 66.6% patients showed resistance to one antimicrobial, 18.9% to two, and 2.4% to three families of antibiotics. A cohort of 162 H. pylori-positive patients were enrolled in this study. Forty-three with single H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin (CLR) were treated with omeprazole (PPI), amoxicillin (AMX), and levofloxacin (LVX)-OAL (31 subjects) or omeprazole, AMX, and metronidazole (MTZ)-OAM (12 patients) and 77 patients with dual H. pylori resistance (51 to CLR and MTZ, 12 to CLR plus LVX, and 14 to MTZ plus LVX) received OAL or OBTM (PPI, bismuth subcitrate, tetracycline, and MTZ), OAM, and OAC, respectively. Other 42 patients with triple H. pylori resistance (CLR, LVX, and MTZ) were treated with PPI, AMX, and rifabutin-OAR (18 subjects), PPI, AMX, and doxycycline-OAD (8), OADB (7), OBTM (6), and ODBR (3). All subjects received standard doses for 10 days. Eradication rate was confirmed by ¹³ C-UBT. Adverse events were assessed by a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Intention-to-treat analysis demonstrates that eradication rates using triple therapies in patients with H. pylori resistance to one and to two families of antibiotics were 93% and 94.8%, respectively. In subjects with H. pylori-resistant to three families of antibiotics, cure rate was higher in naïve patients treated with OAR-10 days compared to those treated with bismuth-containing quadruple therapies (90% vs 75%). Adverse events were limited (18 of 162, 11.1%), all of them mild-moderate.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of susceptibility-guided triple therapy for 10 days leads to eradication rate ≥95% in naïve patients with H. pylori resistance to one or two families of antimicrobials. In naïve patients with H. pylori resistance to three families, OAR treatment achieved a 90% of eradication.

Helicobacter pylori resistance to current therapies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Helicobacter pylori eradication rates have fallen in recent years, mainly because of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant infections. Indeed the WHO has recently designated clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori infection a high priority for antibiotic resistance research and development. This review aims to discuss the most up-to-date information on the methods to detect H. pylori antibiotic resistance, the recent data on resistance rates, and the most appropriate treatment strategies to overcome antibiotic resistance.

RECENT FINDINGS

There has been active research into the development and assessment of genotypic diagnostic assays for both the invasive and noninvasive detection of antibiotic-resistant infection. There are regional variations in the prevalence of H. pylori antibiotic resistance. Primary resistance rates in general are on the rise and high rates of clarithromycin resistance (>15%) have been reported in many parts of the world.

SUMMARY

Optimizing antimicrobial susceptibility testing by both invasive and noninvasive means is crucial to accurately evaluate resistance rates for the optimization of both regional and personalized H. pylori treatment strategies.

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in 2018

Treatment options for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori continue to evolve. There have been many guidelines for H. pylori treatment published, which may lead to some confusion. However, most are in agreement with the most recent iteration of the Maastricht treatment guidelines. Triple therapy is still the most frequently used treatment, especially in areas of low clarithromycin resistance. Its best results are achieved when taken for a minimum of 10 days and with high-dose acid suppression. Quadruple therapy is gaining in popularity particularly in areas with increasing resistance to standard triple therapy. Whether three antibiotics, or bismuth and two antibiotics are used, excellent eradication rates are achieved, albeit with increased side effects. Levofloxacin second-line therapy is widely used; however bismuth, when available, is an increasingly successful option. Sequential therapy is challenging in terms of compliance and is no longer recommended. This past year witnessed a notable increase in the number of studies based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing and tailored eradication therapy, reflecting the role of culture-guided treatment, which may well represent the future of H. pylori treatment and prevent the inappropriate use of antibiotics.

Vonoprazan-based triple therapy is non-inferior to susceptibility-guided proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication

Background

All Helicobacter pylori-infected patients are recommended for eradication with an appropriate regimen in each geographic area. The choice of the therapy is somewhat dependent on the antimicrobial susceptibility. The rate of clarithromycin resistance has been increasing and is associated with failure; thus, susceptibility testing is recommended before triple therapy with clarithromycin. However, antimicrobial susceptibility testing is not yet clinically available and an alternative newly developed acid inhibitor vonoprazan is used for triple therapy in Japan. The aim of this study was to determine whether vonoprazan-based triple therapy is plausible treatment in H. pylori eradication.

Methods

A retrospective observational study of H. pylori eradication was conducted in a single institute. The patients who requested antimicrobial susceptibility testing were treated with susceptibility-guided proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy in International University of Health and Welfare Hospital from 2013 to 2016. Other patients were treated with empirical treatment with a proton pump inhibitor. From 2015 to 2016, vonoprazan-based triple treatment (vonoprazan, 20 mg; amoxicillin, 750 mg; and clarithromycin, 200 or 400 mg, b.i.d.) was conducted, and its effectiveness was compared with susceptibility-guided proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy. We also investigated the improvement in eradication rate when antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed, and compared the outcomes of vonoprazan-based and proton pump inhibitor-based empirical therapy.

Results

A total of 1355 patients who received first-line eradication treatment were enrolled in the present study. The eradication rates of the empirical proton pump inhibitor-based therapy and the vonoprazan-based therapy group in a per-protocol analysis were 86.3% (95% CI 83.8–88.8) and 97.4% (95% CI 95.7–99.1), respectively. In 212 patients who received antimicrobial susceptibility testing, the rate of clarithromycin resistant was 23.5% and the eradication rate in susceptibility-guided treatment was 95.7% (95% CI 92.9–98.4). The difference between susceptibility-guided and vonoprazan-based therapy was − 1.7% (95% CI − 4.9 to 1.5%), and the non-inferiority of vonoprazan-based triple therapy was confirmed.

Conclusions

Vonoprazan-based triple therapy was effective as susceptibility-guided triple therapy for H. pylori eradication. An empirical triple therapy with vonoprazan is preferable even in area with high rates of clarithromycin-resistance.

Trial registration The study was retrospectively registered in University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000032351)