The Bacterium That Causes Stomach Ulcers And Cancer Is Twice As Resistant To Antibiotics

The bacterium that causes stomach ulcers and cancer is twice as resistant to antibiotics

H. pylori is a harmful bacterium that can colonize the lining of the stomach and duodenum. Scientists found that her clarithromycin resistance increased from 9.9% in 1998 to 21.6% in 2018. The resistance of these bacteria to levofloxacin and metronidazole also increased.

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The bacterium responsible for the development of several gastritis, peptic ulcers and stomach cancer has become twice as resistant to antibiotics in 20 years. Scientists reported on this at the event "United European Gastroenterologists Week" in Barcelona (UEG Week Barcelona 2019), according to a press release.

In their work, scientists analyzed data on the treatment of 1232 patients from 18 European countries. They focused on the resistance of Helicobacter pylori bacteria to the antibiotics that are commonly used against them.

H. pylori is a harmful bacterium that can colonize the lining of the stomach and duodenum. Infection with her is associated with gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer and cancer of these organs. In most people, this infection is asymptomatic. Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common in the world, it occurs in about half of the world's population. In 2017, the WHO identified clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori infection as a priority for new antimicrobial developments.

The researchers found that resistance to clarithromycin, one of the most studied agents against this infection, in H. pylori increased from 9.9% in 1998 to 21.6% in 2018. The resistance of these bacteria to levofloxacin and metronidazole also increased.

Professor Francis Megraud of the University of Bordeaux II Segalen, who presented the research at the event, said:

“H. pylori infection is an inherently difficult infection to treat and requires a combination of drugs. With an increase in resistance to common antibiotics of about 1% per year, treatment options for this infection are diminishing unless new treatments are developed. The reduced effectiveness of current therapy may contribute to an increase in the prevalence of stomach cancer, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer."

The study also showed that the prevalence of H. pylori antibiotic resistance is highest in southern Italy, Croatia and Greece. Scientists point out that in these countries, inappropriate use of antibiotics is common, for example, for viral respiratory diseases.