Introducing the examination of macrolide resistant helicobacter pylory into the diagnostic practice and the first epidemiological data in the South-Alföld region

• Published in: Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie
• Main Authors: Sukosd, F, F. Kiss, Z, Jarmay, K, Tiszai, A, Tiszlavicz, L
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: German
• Published: 19.05.2004
• ISSN: 0044-2771; 1439-7803
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-827039

The aim of this study was to introduce the examination of macrolide resistant H. pylori into diagnostic practice, and to determine the resistant ratio in infected patients in Szeged and associated region. The target site of the macrolide antibiotics used in the eradication of H. pylori is the ribosome. However mutations in the sequence of ribosomal RNA can lead to resistance of the host organism. By the use of rRNA FISH, specific probes can reveal the three most frequent mutations. In the University Medical School of Szeged 476 examinations were carried out in patients in whom previously microscopical examination showed the presence of H. pylori. Of these cases, 13.5% were shown to have resistant by FISH examination. In a previous series where the examinations were carried out after unsuccessful eradication therapy, the percentage of resistance was 43.6%. It is interesting, that although men and women were equally sensitive to macrolide therapy, the resistance was more common in women as two-third of these patients showed resistance for the antibiotics. However, in 5.5% of the cases it was not possible to confirm the presence of an infection despite a previous positive microscopical examination. In the summary the authors discuss their experiences concerning the limitations of the rRNA based FISH examinations. Their result concerning the macrolide resistant H. pylori in the region correlates with the results published in the international literature. The authors conclude that there is sufficient evidence to prove the value of the FISH examinations. Therefore, expansion of the FISH based Helicobacter pylori examination in a larger population is advocated.