S. Mendonca et al., Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori resistance to metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, and furazolidone in Brazil, HELICOBACT, 5(2), 2000, pp. 79-83
Background. Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with a wide range o
f digestive diseases and is very prevalent in developing countries, althoug
h few data exist on the susceptibility of H. pylori to antimicrobials commo
nly used in eradication schedules in these countries. The aim of this study
was to evaluate the resistance of H. pylori to metronidazole, clarithromyc
in, amoxicillin, tetracycline, and furazolidone in dyspeptic Brazilian pati
ents.
Material and Methods. Ninety consecutive H. pylori-positive patients were e
nrolled. Resistance was evaluated by an agar dilution test.
Results. Resistance to metronidazole was detected in 38 patients (42%); to
amoxicillin in 26 individuals (29%); to clarithromycin in 6 patients (7%);
to tetracycline in 6 patients (7%); and to furazolidone in 4 individuals (4
%). Thirteen strains were resistant to two agents, and eight strains were r
esistant to three antimicrobials.
Conclusions. These results confirm the need for culture and susceptibility
testing to define H. pylori resistance patterns in particular geographical
areas before the general use of an eradication schedule. They also suggest
the possibility of resistance to such antimicrobials as amoxicillin or tetr
acycline in geographical areas with a high prevalence of H. pylori infectio
n and still not fully evaluated for antimicrobial susceptibility.