Treatment of Refractory Helicobacter pylori Infection-Tailored or Empirical Therapy

The treatment of refractory Helicobacter pylori remains challenging in clinical practice. Factors that should be considered in the treatment of refractory H. pylori infection include treatment length, dosage of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), number of drugs, and the selection of appropriate antibiotics. Extending the treatment length of triple therapy and non-bismuth quadruple therapy to 14 days may increase the eradication rate compared with a shorter period (7 or 10 days). The use of a higher dose of PPIs or vonoprazan may also increase the efficacy of triple therapy. Four-drug therapy, including bismuth or non-bismuth quadruple therapies, usually achieve higher eradication rates than triple therapy. The addition of bismuth or metronidazole to levofloxacin-amoxicillin-PPI therapy may also increase the eradication rate. Therefore, fourdrug therapies containing a higher dose of PPIs for 14 days are recommended in the third-line treatment setting for refractory H. pylori infection. The selection of appropriate antibiotics may be guided by susceptibility testing or empirically by medication history. Tailored therapy guided by susceptibility testing or genotypic resistance is recommended whenever possible. However, properly designed empirical therapy based on prior medication history (i.e., avoid the reuse of clarithromycin or levofloxacin empirically) is an acceptable alternative to tailored therapy after considering accessibility, cost, and the preference of the patient.

Mass Eradication of Helicobacter pylori to Prevent Gastric Cancer: Theoretical and Practical Considerations

Although the age-adjusted incidence of gastric cancer is declining, the absolute number of new cases of gastric cancer is increasing due to population growth and aging. An effective strategy is needed to prevent this deadly cancer. Among the available strategies, screen-and-treat for Helicobacter pylori infection appears to be the best approach to decrease cancer risk; however, implementation of this strategy on the population level requires a systematic approach. The program also must be integrated into national healthcare priorities to allow the limited resources to be most effectively allocated. Implementation will require adoption of an appropriate screening strategy, an efficient delivery system with a timely referral for a positive test, and standardized treatment regimens based on clinical efficacy, side effects, simplicity, duration, and cost. Within the population, there are subpopulations that vary in risk such that a "one size fits all" approach is unlikely to be ideal. Sensitivity analyses will be required to identify whether the programs can be utilized by heterogeneous populations and will likely require adjustments to accommodate the needs of subpopulations.