Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance profile in Chinese children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms and a literature review for developing personalized eradicating strategies

TL;DR

This study examines antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori infections among Chinese children and proposes personalized treatment strategies to improve eradication rates.

Contribution

The study provides a personalized treatment approach for H. pylori in children based on local resistance profiles.

Findings

High resistance rates to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin were observed in H. pylori isolates.

Triple resistance to CLA + MET + LEV was found in 9.7% of isolates.

Personalized therapies, including bismuth-based and TET-based regimens, were recommended based on resistance profiles.

Abstract

Background:
H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) infections typically occur in early childhood. Although the prevalence of H. pylori in children is lower than that in adults, the eradication rate of this infection in children is relatively low because of resistance. In this study, we analyzed personalized treatment strategies to achieve treatment goals based on H. pylori resistance characteristics. This retrospective single-center study was conducted between January 2019 and December 2022 and enrolled 1,587 children who presented with upper gastrointestinal symptoms and underwent endoscopy. H. pylori culturing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed.

Results: Culture-positive results for H. pylori were obtained in 535 children. The resistance rates to clarithromycin (CLA), metronidazole (MET), and levofloxacin (LEV) were 39.8%, 78.1%, and 20.2%, respectively. None of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline (TET), amoxicillin (AMO), or furazolidone (FZD). Double resistance rates to CLA + MET, CLA + LEV, and MET + LEV were 19.1%, 3.0%, and 5.8%, respectively. Notably, triple-resistant to CLA + MET + LEV was 9.7%. Based on susceptibility tests, individualized triple therapy [proton pump inhibitor (PPI) +AMO + CLA/MET] was selected for 380 children with H. pylori sensitive to MET and/or CLA. In 155 children resistant to CLA and MET, bismuth-based quadruple therapy was recommended; for unable to receive bismuth, concomitant therapy was recommended for 14 children (<8 years of age); triple therapy with TET was recommended for 141 children (>8 years of age), with 43 children (>14 years of age) requiring FZD rather than TET.

Conclusion: Resistance to H. pylori in Chinese children was relatively poor. Personalized therapy regimens should be based on susceptibility tests and avoided factors associated with treatment failure.

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