title: Mechanisms of Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance: An updated appraisal.
abstract: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antibiotic resistance is the main factor affecting the efficacy of the current eradicating therapies. The aim of this editorial is to report on the recent information about the mechanisms accounting for the resistance to the different antibiotics currently utilized in H. pylori eradicating treatments. Different mechanisms of resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, quinolones, amoxicillin and tetracycline are accurately detailed (point mutations, redox intracellular potential, pump efflux systems, membrane permeability) on the basis of the most recent data available from the literature. The next hope for the future is that by improving the knowledge of resistance mechanisms, the elaboration of rational and efficacious associations for the treatment of the infection will be possible. Another auspicious progress might be the possibility of a cheap, feasible and reliable laboratory test to predict the outcome of a therapeutic scheme.
authors.affiliation: Vincenzo De Francesco, Floriana Giorgio, Rosa Rosania, Enzo Ierardi, Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia 71100, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo De
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Francesco
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zullo
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.forename: Floriana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giorgio
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosania
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ierardi