In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori strains isolated in Chile

Background: Our laboratory has carried out an epidemiological surveillance of Helicobacter pylori antimicrobial susceptibility since 1997. Aim: To rep ort the antimicrobial susceptibility of H pylori strains, isolated in Chile from August 1997 to August 2000. Material and methods: Ninety one H pylori strains, obtained from antral gastric biopsies during upper gastrointestin al endoscopies were studied. Susceptibility towards clarithromycin, amoxici llin, bismuth subcitrate and metronidazole was studied by an agar diffusion technique. Results: All strains were susceptible to amoxicillin and two st rains were resistant to clarithromycin. Forty two percent of strains were r esistant to metronidazole and 13% were resistant to bismuth subcitrate. Con clusions: These results underscore the need to maintain an epidemiological surveillance of H pylori antimicrobial susceptibility, to modify its eradic ation therapy accordingly. (Rev Med Chile 2000; 129; 643-6).