title: Helicobacter pylori recurrence and infection rate in Israeli adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In developing countries the recurrence rate of Helicobacter pylori after successful eradication therapy is as high as 42%, while in developed countries it is estimated to be less than 3%. Such figures are very important in terms of determining clinical strategy and outcome.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the recurrence rate of H. pylori in Israel using the database of the "Central H. Pylori Laboratory of Clalit Health Services".
  
  
  METHODS
  The database was searched for patients who had undergone the [(13)C]-urea breath test ([(13)C]-UBT) for validation of the successful eradication of H. pylori or for evaluation of dyspepsia 7 years previously and for whom the result had been negative. These patients were invited to participate in the trial, fill a symptom questionnaire and undergo another [(13)C]-UBT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A In total, 65 patients participated; of these, 26 patients had tested negative in the first( 13)CUBT, indicating the successful eradication of H. pylori (Group A), and 39 had been tested for dyspepsia (Group B). One patient in each group had a positive [(13)C]-UBT - 3.84% in Group A and 2.56% in Group B (non-significant difference, NS). The mean annual H. pylori recurrence rate was calculated to be 0.55% and 0.37% in Group A and Group B patients, respectively (NS).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results shown a very low re-infection or new infection rates in Israeli adults and are in line with other trials in developed countries; they do not support the a retesting program for patients after a successful eradication therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Tel Aviv University, Petach Tikva, Israel. yniv@clalit.org.il
authors.forename: Yaron
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Niv
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hazazi
authors.forename: Amal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Waked
authors.forename: Tami
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lederfein
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Achiel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001944:Breath Tests; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D000658:Amoxicillin; D017291:Clarithromycin; D009853:Omeprazole