Antimicrobial resistance in Helicobacter pylori isolates from children.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the resistance rate to four antimicrobial agents commonly used in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in children.


METHODS
Between July 1997 and January 2000, all H. pylori isolates from children undergoing gastroscopy were prospectively collected and subcultured to yield the susceptibility to four antimicrobial agents by E-test. In all, 23 isolates were tested. Demographic data, presenting symptoms, treatment regimen and clinical improvement after treatment were collected retrospectively.


RESULTS
The resistance rate of H. pylori to metronidazole and clarithromycin were 43.5% and 8.7%, respectively. No H. pylori strains were resistant to amoxycillin or tetracycline. There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, ethnicity, presenting symptoms or clinical improvement after treatment between antimicrobial-susceptible and antimicrobial-resistant groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequent resistance of H. pylori to metronidazole and moderate resistance to clarithromycin in children are comparable with local adult data. The incidence of resistance tended to be higher in patients of non-European ethnicity, but this was not statistically significant. Given that the primary goal of therapy is eradication, and that local resistance rates are high, recommendations for H. pylori management may need to be modified to include sensitivity testing and/or determination of eradication in all patients.
Rerksuppaphol
S
S
Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition, Royal Children's Hospital, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Hardikar
W
W
Midolo
P D
PD
Ward
P
P
D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014739:Victoria
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D000658:Amoxicillin; D013752:Tetracycline; D017291:Clarithromycin