Premium
Antimicrobial resistance of Helicobacter pylori in an eastern German region
Author(s) -
Hofreuter Dirk,
Behrendt Johannes,
Franz Annett,
Meyer Jens,
Jansen Anna,
Bluemel Benjamin,
Eisele Bianca,
Koken Miriam,
Glocker ErikOliver
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
helicobacter
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.206
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1523-5378
pISSN - 1083-4389
DOI - 10.1111/hel.12765
Subject(s) - clarithromycin , levofloxacin , helicobacter pylori , antibiotic resistance , rapid urease test , regimen , tetracycline , medicine , antimicrobial , ofloxacin , antibiotics , helicobacter , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , helicobacter pylori infection , ciprofloxacin
Background Antimicrobial therapy is recommended to eradicate Helicobacter (H.) pylori in infected individuals. As first‐line treatments are empiric, knowledge of antimicrobial resistance is key to successful eradication. Aims We investigated primary resistance in an eastern German region to derive recommendations for eradication treatment. Methods We used molecular genetic methods to examine Helicobacter rapid urease test (RUT) positive gastric specimens of 533 patients from Berlin and the federal state of Brandenburg with allegedly no prior eradication treatment. Tissue samples were removed from RUT and screened by real‐time PCR for mutations conferring resistance to clarithromycin. In addition, 182 samples out of 533 were tested for resistance to levofloxacin and tetracycline. Results Primary resistances were 10.9% (58 out of 533) to clarithromycin; 13.7% (25/182) to levofloxacin; and 2.2% to tetracycline (4/182). Combined resistance to clarithromycin/levofloxacin was low (2.2%, 4/182). Female sex was significantly associated with clarithromycin resistance. Conclusion Clarithromycin may be a suitable first‐line antibiotic for about 90% of outpatients. A simple molecular test may help physicians avoid prescription of an ineffective first‐line regimen.