title: Role of serology in monitoring treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection in elderly patients.
abstract: Fifteen elderly patients with type B gastritis caused by Helicobacter pylori infection were treated with triple therapy consisting of colloidal bismuth subcitrate, amoxycillin and metronidazole. All were followed up every 6 weeks for 3 months. After triple therapy, eradication of the infection was confirmed in 12 patients (85%) by histology and bacteriology. In this group, a significant reduction in IgG antibody levels against H. pylori was detected (p < 0.001). In a control group of 15 patients with type B gastritis who received no antibacterial treatment, the specific IgG antibody titre remained unchanged during 3 months of follow-up. We conclude that this simple and noninvasive serological test would be suitable for follow-up after treatment of H. pylori infection in elderly patients.
authors.affiliation: Bristol Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Safe
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corfield
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McNulty
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mountford
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Read
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008795:Metronidazole; D000658:Amoxicillin; C002791:bismuth tripotassium dicitrate