Molecular prevalence of point mutations conferring resistance to clarithromycin in Helicobacter pylori in the United Arab Emirates.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to find the prevalence of point mutations conferring resistance to clarithromycin in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the United Arab Emirates.


METHODS
Gastric biopsy samples were obtained from 9 dyspeptic patients attending the endoscopy department in Zayed Military Hospital, Abu-Dhabi, UAE during the period from January to September 2004. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out for these biopsies to determine the point mutations.


RESULTS
Of the 55 (60%) real-time biopsies that were PCR positive for H. pylori, 36 (65.5%) were found to have mutant genes. The A(2142/43)G mutation was more common (63.6%) than the A(2142)C mutation (18.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
Point mutations A(2442/43)G and A(2142)C and the combination of both were common among our patients. Perhaps the highest reported yet. Mutation at A(2142/43)G is far more common than mutation at A(2142)C.
Alfaresi
Mubarak S
MS
Department of Microbiology, Zayed Military Hospital, PO Box 3740, Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. uaenow@emirates.net.ae
Eltom
Abdulla A
AA
Alshaikh
Saeed S
SS
Buchel
Elwin H
EH
Saeed
Lamya S
LS
Aljenaibi
Monther M
MM
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001706:Biopsy; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017354:Point Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / Q000235:genetics; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012338:RNA, Ribosomal, 23S; D017291:Clarithromycin