Helicobacter pylori Infection: Antibiotic Resistance and Solutions for Effective Management in Africa

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is ubiquitous worldwide, with prevalence rates of greater than 70% in Africa. Symptomatic patients present with foregut gastrointestinal symptoms which can be readily diagnosed with standardized non-invasive or invasive tests. The biggest challenge, however, is in the management of this condition with rising antimicrobial resistance rates to most of the antibiotics recommended for therapy. This is a problem worldwide, but more specifically in Africa, where the socio-economic and political climate is such that eradication of this organism seems impossible. Furthermore, the recommended antimicrobial susceptibility testing for drug resistance is not widely available in Africa due to the lack of infrastructural as well as human resources. With the widespread unregulated use of antibiotics in some parts of Africa, the figures of antimicrobial resistance are likely to soar. In the face of these significant challenges, this 'perspectives' article aims to address the issue of antimicrobial resistance in Africa, by providing achievable and targeted goals to curb the spread of infection and rising antimicrobial resistance.

Automated summary

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is highly prevalent worldwide, especially in Africa with rates over 70%. The challenge lies in managing this condition due to increasing antimicrobial resistance rates to recommended therapies. Particularly in Africa, where eradication seems impossible, lack of infrastructure and resources hinder antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Unregulated antibiotic use in certain parts of Africa is likely to contribute to the rise of antimicrobial resistance. This article aims to address these challenges by proposing achievable goals to curb infection spread and antimicrobial resistance specifically in Africa.