title: Sensitivity of Helicobacter pylori to metronidazole.
abstract: Gastric antral forceps biopsies taken at gastroscopy were cultured for Helicobacter pylori and tested for anti-microbial sensitivity. Using micro-aerophilic culture, and disc testing or E-testing, there was 98-100% sensitivity to amoxycillin, tetracycline, clarithromycin and erythromycin. However, there was apparent resistance to metronidazole in 19 of 102 samples (19%). When sensitivity by E-testing was performed with preliminary anaerobic culture for 24 h only two of 94 samples (2%) showed resistance. In 37 cultures both micro-aerophilic disc testing and anaerobic then micro-aerophilic E-testing were conducted. Eight cultures showed resistance upon disc testing (MIC > 5 mg/l) but all of these organisms were sensitive on E-testing (MIC 0.003-0.5 mg/l). Metronidazole may be used with confidence in eradication regimes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, General Hospital, County Durham, UK.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bateson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Winn
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D008795:Metronidazole