Nicole Wüppenhorst1, Sarah Draeger1, Hans Peter Stüger2, Beate Hobmaier1, Jolanta Vorreiter1, Manfred Kist1, Erik-Oliver Glocker3. 1. National Reference Centre for Helicobacter pylori, Department of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 11, 79104 Freiburg, Germany. 2. AGES Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Data, Statistics & Risk Assessment, Beethovenstraße 8, 8010 Graz, Austria. 3. National Reference Centre for Helicobacter pylori, Department of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 11, 79104 Freiburg, Germany erik-oliver.glocker@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial resistance of Helicobacter pylori endangers the successful eradication of the bacteria. The aim of this prospective surveillance study (ResiNet) is to continuously keep antimicrobial resistance of H. pylori in Germany under surveillance and to identify risk factors for its development. METHODS: From July 2001 until December 2012, we tested the antimicrobial susceptibility of H. pylori strains isolated from 1651 prospectively enrolled patients. We analysed clinical and epidemiological data and identified risk factors for the development of resistance. RESULTS: Average primary resistances were 29.4% for metronidazole, 6.7% for clarithromycin and 3.1% for both antimicrobials. Prior unsuccessful eradication treatments, female sex and country or continent of origin were identified as independent risk factors for development of resistance. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori-positive patients without prior eradication therapy can be treated empirically; antimicrobial susceptibility testing is recommended in previously unsuccessfully treated patients and in patients who have received antimicrobial chemotherapies due to unrelated bacterial infections.
OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial resistance of Helicobacter pylori endangers the successful eradication of the bacteria. The aim of this prospective surveillance study (ResiNet) is to continuously keep antimicrobial resistance of H. pylori in Germany under surveillance and to identify risk factors for its development. METHODS: From July 2001 until December 2012, we tested the antimicrobial susceptibility of H. pylori strains isolated from 1651 prospectively enrolled patients. We analysed clinical and epidemiological data and identified risk factors for the development of resistance. RESULTS: Average primary resistances were 29.4% for metronidazole, 6.7% for clarithromycin and 3.1% for both antimicrobials. Prior unsuccessful eradication treatments, female sex and country or continent of origin were identified as independent risk factors for development of resistance. CONCLUSIONS:H. pylori-positive patients without prior eradication therapy can be treated empirically; antimicrobial susceptibility testing is recommended in previously unsuccessfully treated patients and in patients who have received antimicrobial chemotherapies due to unrelated bacterial infections.