Characteristics of Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance: data from four different populations

Abstract

Aims

To describe the characteristics of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antibiotic resistance in clinical isolates from four populations.

Methods

In total, 1463 H. pylori strains were examined for antibiotic resistance. Among these strains, 804 were isolated from treatment-naïve adults, 133 from previously treated adults, 100 from treatment-naïve children and 426 from a population who participated in a health survey (age ≥ 40 years). The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by the E-test method.

Results

In the treatment-naïve adult group, the resistance rates for metronidazole, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, amoxicillin, rifampicin and tetracycline were 78.4, 19.0, 23.3, 1.2, 1.7 and 2.3%, respectively. Compared with this group, the previously treated adult group had significantly higher resistance rates for metronidazole (99.2%), clarithromycin (58.3%) and levofloxacin (52.3%). In addition, the treatment-naïve children had a lower metronidazole resistance rate (46.0%) than the treatment-naïve adults. The resistance rate for clarithromycin was low in treatment-naïve patients with ages ranging from 10 to 24 years. For the strains isolated from the general population group, the resistance rates for metronidazole, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, amoxicillin, rifampicin and tetracycline were 78.6, 10.1, 25.1, 0.5, 2.1 and 0.9%, respectively. Compared with the treatment-naïve adult group, the general population group showed significant differences in clarithromycin resistance.

Conclusion

The resistance rates for metronidazole, clarithromycin and levofloxacin were high, especially in previously treated adults. Compared to those in treatment-naïve younger patients, the resistance rates for clarithromycin were significantly lower in treatment-naïve patients with ages ranging from 10 to 24 years and in the general population.