ABSTRACT
Background: Helicobacter pylori is a pathogenic bacterium that infects a significant number of individuals. At present, therapeutic strategies to eradicate this bacterium depend on our knowledge of its resistance to antimicrobials. Aims: To evaluate the primary resistance of H pylori to metronidazole (Mtz), clarithromycin (Cla), and tetracycline (Tet) in symptomatic out-patients. Material and Methods: Fifty independent isolates of H pylori were obtained by endoscopy-assisted gastric biopsy from patients attending the University of Chile Clinical Hospital, that previously had not been treated with an eradication regime against this bacterium. The minimal inhibitory concentration of each antimicrobial was determined by agar dilution method. Results: Forty five and 27 percent of the isolates were found to be resistant to Mtz and Tet, respectively; the majority of these resistant isolates were from patients older than 21 years. Twenty percent of isolates were resistant to Cla; these were distributed evenly among different ages. Thirty two percent of the isolates were resistant to two or more of the antimicrobials. Conclusions: The high frequency of naturally occurring, antimicrobial-resistant strains of H pylori poses a national and world-wide problem for public health.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Clarithromycin/pharmacology , Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/drug effects , Helicobacter pylori/drug effects , Metronidazole/pharmacology , Tetracycline/pharmacology , Age Distribution , Chile , Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Tetracycline Resistance/drug effectsABSTRACT
Helicobacter pylori is a pathogenic bacterium that infects a significant number of individuals. In Chile about 79 percent of the population is colonized. Aims: This study evaluate the prevalence of the H. pylori infection in symptomatic outpatients. Materials and Methods: 276 non selected patients were enrolled from Endoscopic Unit of Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile. The bacterium was detected by urease test. Results: H. pylori infection was found in 44,9 percent patients. Infection was higher in younger patients, 53,8 percent between 21-60 years, and was lower in older patients, 25,6 percent in older than 60 years. The risk of being H. pylori carrier is twofold higher in persons younger than 60 years as compared to those older than 60 years. Conclusion: The age would be modifier factors for H. pylori infection risk.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Adolescent , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Helicobacter pylori , Helicobacter Infections/diagnosis , Helicobacter Infections/epidemiology , Urease , Chile , PrevalenceABSTRACT
Helicobacter pylori is a relevant pathogen for gastroduodenal diseases in human beings. Although its eradication often improves gastroduodenal diseases, H pylori is acquiring an elevated rate of resistance to various antimicrobials, such as metronidazole, clarithromycin, tetracycline and amoxicillin. Multi-drug resistance is a major problem to select the appropriate treatment of infectious diseases. To improve our understanding on the com-plexity of the problem, in this article we review the resistance mechanisms and give an update on H pylori antimicrobial resistance (Rev Méd Chile 2003; 131: 1313-20).
Subject(s)
Humans , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Drug Resistance, Bacterial , Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy , Helicobacter pylori/drug effects , Amoxicillin/pharmacology , Amoxicillin/therapeutic use , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Metronidazole/pharmacology , Metronidazole/therapeutic use , Tetracyclines/pharmacology , Tetracyclines/therapeutic useABSTRACT
El pH ácido de la mucosa gástrica es probablemente una característica que hace a este nicho inaccesible a otras bacterias que no sea Helicobacterpylori. La bacteria debe estar bien adaptada a crecer en estas condiciones de acidez y emplear mecanismos especializados de protección al ácido. La capacidad de sobrevivir bajo estas condiciones de pH bajo y las propiedades quimiotácticas de H. pylori le permiten colonizar el estómago. Algunos aspectos acerca de los mecanismos de sobrevivencia en medio ácido y las propiedades quimiotácticas de H. pylori se discuten.