[Evolution of the sensitivity of 235 strains of Helicobacter pylori from 1995 to 1998 and impact of antibiotic treatment].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the sensitivity of Helicobacter pylori to the antibiotics used in its eradication over a period of four years and to determine the influence of previous treatment on sensitivity.


METHODS
During the period from 1995 to 1998 we determined the sensitivity of 235 consecutive Helicobacter pylori isolates to amoxicillin, metronidazole, clarythromycin and tetracycline by means of E-test methodology. The MIC values found were related with the prior use of eradicating treatment.


RESULTS
The percentage of resistant strains were as follows: 23.5% to metronidazole, 12.9% to clarythromycin and 0.7% to tetracycline; none of the strains was resistant to amoxicillin. There were no significant changes in percentage of resistance to the drugs studied over the 4-year period. Resistance to metronidazole and clarythromycin was significantly higher (p 5 0.03 and p < 0.001 respectively) in strains isolated from patients who had received previous treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Monitorization of H. pylori sensitivity to the drugs used in its eradication is particularly important in patients who have undergone prior treatment.
Cuchí Burgos
Eva
E
Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Mútua de Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain.
Forné Bardera
Montserrat
M
Quintana Riera
Salvador
S
Lite Lite
José
J
Garau Alemany
Javier
J
D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D008795:Metronidazole; D000658:Amoxicillin; D013752:Tetracycline; D017291:Clarithromycin