Tailored eradication therapy based on fecal Helicobacter pylori clarithromycin sensitivities

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication rates using the PPI/AC regimen (proton pump inhibitor + amoxicillin + clarithromycin) are declining. We trialed tailoring eradication regimens according to clarithromycin (CAM) susceptibility. The subjects were 70 H. pylori positive adults. They were randomly allocated to a tailored group and a control group. In the tailored group, subjects with CAM-sensitive strains were given PPI/AC eradication therapy, and those with CAM-resistant strains were given PPI/AM (metronidazole instead of clarithromycin) therapy. The control group were all given PPI/AC therapy. CAM sensitivity was measured by collecting fecal specimens, and extracting the DNA. The 23S rRNA domain, associated with CAM susceptibility in H. pylori, was amplified using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and DNA sequencing was used to detect point mutations at A2143G and A2144G. Eradication rates were 94.3% in the tailored group and 71.4% in the control group. In particular, the eradication rate was 100% for CAM-resistant strains in the tailored group. In Japan, where CAM-resistant H. pylori strains are expected to continue to increase, tailored eradication therapy according to CAM sensitivity will be of benefit.