High Helicobacter pylori resistance rate to clarithromycin in Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the resistance of Helicobacter pylori to clarithromycin in Turkey.


BACKGROUND
Recent studies have emphasized the remarkable reduction in H. pylori eradication rates. Resistance to clarithromycin is the most important factor affecting the success of H. pylori eradication therapies.


METHODS
The study involved 110 consecutive adult dyspeptic patients infected with H. pylori. Resistance to clarithromycin was studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction method on gastric biopsy specimens.


RESULTS
Of the 110 patients, 56 (50.9%) were male and mean age (+/-SD) was 45.1+/-13.1 years. Overall, 53 (48.2%) patients were found to be resistant to clarithromycin. Resistance to clarithromycin was not statistically associated with age, sex, previous macrolide use, residence (urban/rural), education status, and presence of peptic ulcer.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of resistance to clarithromycin was found to be markedly high. This result may explain the recently reported low success rates of H. pylori eradication therapies with clarithromycin.
Onder
Goktug
G
Department of Gastroenterology, Ege University Medical School, Izmir, Turkey.
Aydin
Ahmet
A
Akarca
Ulus
U
Tekin
Fatih
F
Ozutemiz
Omer
O
Ilter
Tankut
T
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D017291:Clarithromycin