Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori in Mashhad, Iran
Abolfazl Zendedel,1 Farideh Moradimoghadam,2 Vahid Almasi,3 Hamidreza Zivarifar4
Abstract Objective: To evaluate Helicobacter pylori resistance to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole and tetracycline in Mashhad, Iran. Methods: The cross-sectional study was done from January to May 2008 in Mashhad, involving 185 patients who had been indicated for endoscopy and lesions had been found. Biopsy samples were assessed with histological evaluation, rapid urease test, and culture. Antibiotic resistance was assessed by the disc diffusion method. Data was analysed with SPSS 11.5 using chi-square and Fisher’s exact test. P values of < 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. Results: Of the total patients, histological evaluations were positive in 124 (67%). Compared with histology, sensitivity and specificity of rapid urease test were 96.7% and 100%, respectively. In 82 (66.1%) patients with positive cultures, antibiotic resistance was found in 14 (17.1%) for clarithromycin; 53 (64.6%) for metronidazole; and 8 (9.8%) for amoxicillin. No resistance was observed for tetracycline. Moreover, 9 (64%) patients with resistance to clarithromycin had co-resistance to metronidazole. Conclusion: Metronidazole is not recommended for treatment of Helicobacter pylori as a first-line drug. Also, considering the sensitivity and specificity of rapid urease test, we suggest this method as a suitable alternative for histology. Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, Antibiotic resistance, Antibiotic. (JPMA 63: 336; 2013) Introduction
compared with that in 2005.15 Also, Sun et al reported that
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been reported as the
in Shanghai the resistance to clarithromycin increased
cause of some frequent gastrointestinal disorders.1,2
from 8.6% in 2000 to 20.7% in 2009.16 Furthermore, Gao et
Gastroduodenal ulcer disease and gastric malignancies
al. declared that H. pylori resistance to metronidazole,
are caused by H. pylori.2-6 This bacterium has been
clarithromycin and fluoroquinolone increased from 2000
classified as a type-1 carcinogen in the World Health
Organization report.7 Infection with H. pylori is so
The aim of this study was to evaluate H. pylori resistance
common that more than 50% of the world's population isinfected with this bacterium.8 This bacterium is usually
to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole and
acquired in childhood.2 Eradication of H. pylori has
tetracycline in Mashhad city of Iran.
prophylactic effect on gastric malignancies.5
Patients and methods
Several combined antibacterial regimens have been
The cross-sectional study was conducted from January to
advised for the eradication of H. pylori. In European
May 2008 at the Gastrointestinal Clinic of Ghaem Hospital,
guidelines, clarithromycin and either amoxicillin or
Mashhad, northeastern Iran. Patients with chronic
metronidazole are the first-line antibiotics.3 Also, in other
dyspepsia, who had been indicated for endoscopy and
advised regimens tetracycline has been suggested.5,9
had lesions in their endoscopy, were enrolled in the study.
Current anti-H. pylori therapies can fail in up to 30% of
We did not intend to do endoscopy in patients with no
patients.3,5 Antibiotic resistance is an essential cause of
indication for endoscopy, thus we selected these patients.
Patients with a history of using 3 or 4 drugs for thetreatment of H. Pylori, those with gastrointestinal
Over time, antibiotic resistance of H. pylori has
malignancy, or those with recent (2 weeks before the
increased.13,14 Siavoshi et al reported that resistance to
evaluation) use of antibiotics, bismuth or proton pomp
metronidazole and tetracycline increased in 2008
inhibitors (PPIs) were excluded because antibiotics andsome other drugs can impair the results of sensitivity
1,3Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, 2,4Mashhad University of Medical
tests. Indications of endoscopy in the patients with
chronic dyspepsia included incomplete treatment with
Correspondence: Farideh Moradimoghadam. EMail: [email protected]
antacid drugs, presence of suspicious signs (weight loss,
Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori in Mashhad, Iran
anaemia of undetermined cause, gastrointestinal
After the surface of the plates got dried, the antibiotic
discs were transferred to the surface of the plates. After 15
consistent vomiting and palpable abdominal mass), age
over 45 years, history of heartburn for more than 5 years,
microaerophilic condition and they were kept in this
and being suspicious of cancer or organic diseases. The
condition at 37° C. After 5 days, the inhibition zone
patients were divided into 3 age groups: <30 years; 30-50
diametre (IZD) was recorded. IZDs more than or equal to
years; and >50 years. The study was approved by the
14, 15, 17 and 20mm were considered to be susceptible to
Research and Ethical Committee of Mashhad University of
Uring consecutive sampling, the sample size was
Data was analysed with SPSS 11.5, using chi-square and
Fisher’s exact test. P values of <0.05 were regarded asstatistically significant. Results A total of 185 individuals were enrolled in the study. Of them, 101 (54.6%) were female; histological evaluations were positive in 124 (67%); and 65 (52.4%) of them were
All the endoscopies were done by an Internal Medicine
female. There was no relationship between gender and H.
physician. The samples were taken from the antrum of the
stomach. A part of each sample was specified for rapidurease test (RUT) and another part was specified for
The mean age of the patients was 41.3±15.2 years;
For RUT, the samples were transferred to a sterile urease
Infection with H. pylori was more common in the older
test broth environment. Phenol red indicator was then
patients. There was a significant relationship between age
added. To assess the change of the samples colour, they
and infection with H. pylori (p <0.012) (Table-1).
were kept at 37°C and were observed for 1 hour. When the
Compared with histology, sensitivity and specificity of
sample colour changed from yellow to pink, the result of
RUT were 96.7% and 100%, and sensitivity and specificity
of culture were 66.1% and 100%, respectively.
The biopsy samples were transferred to the laboratory for
In 82 patients with positive cultures, antibiotic resistance
culture and staining in semi-solid (0.1% agar) normal
was found in 14 (17.1%) patients for clarithromycin; 53
saline. The samples were prepared for Gram staining and
(64.6%) patients for metronidazole; and 8 (9.8%) for
amoxicillin. No resistance was observed for tetracycline.
For culturing the samples, 7% foetal calf serum and 10%
There was no relationship between age and resistance to
lysed horse blood and the antibiotics (vancomycin
clarithromycin, amoxicillin or tetracycline (p<0.05).
(10µg/L), amphotericin B (5µg/L) and trimethoprim
However, resistance to metronidazole was more common in
(5µg/L)) were added to RUT media and Colombia agar
patients younger than 50 years of age (p<0.010) (Table-2).
base (Merck, Germany). The samples were then placed onit. It was incubated at 37°C for 3-5 days under
There was no significant relationship between antibiotic
microaerophilic conditions. H. Pylori was identified as
gram-negative with spiral or curved rods, which produce
In addition, resistance to 3 antibiotics (clarithromycin,
urease, catalase and oxidase. Sensitivity and specificity ofRUT and culture were compared with histology as the
Table-1: Distribution of patients and positive histology in age groups. Percentage of
In cases with positive cultures, antibiotic resistance was
patients patients with patientswith
assessed by using the disc diffusion method for
positive histology positive histology
tetracycline. Brain heart infusion broth (Merck, Germany)
plates were used with added 10% foetal calf serum.
Bacterial suspension (equivalent to Mac Farland no. 3
turbidity) was transferred on the surface of the plates.
A. Zendedel, F. Moradimoghadam, V. Almasi, et al.
Table-2: The frequency of resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole and amoxicillin in age groups. <30 years 30-50 years >50 years P-value*
Number of patients with positive cultures
* Calculated using the chi-square test.
metronidazole and amoxicillin) was seen in 1 (1.2%)
17.1% for clarithromycin. In other studies, resistance to
patient, 21 (25.6%) patients had no resistance to any of
clarithromycin was between 7.3% in Iran from 2005 to
the 4 antibiotics; and 9 (64%) patients with resistance to
200815 and 44% in Iran between 2008 and 2009.21 In Iran,
clarithromycin had co-resistance to metronidazole.
it was reported to be 30% in the north from 2007 to2010,20 44% in the south between 2008 and 200921 and
Discussion
7.3% in the center from 2005 to 2008.15 In developing
H. pylori resistance to antibiotics is a worldwide problem.
countries, it was reported to be 14.6% in Tunisia from 2005
Over time, H. pylori resistance to antibiotics is
to 2007.13 In developed countries, it was declared to be
increasing.13,14 Considering the role of this bacterium in
20.7% in Shanghai (China) in 2009,16 13.2% in Ireland from
some frequent gastrointestinal disorders (such as
2007 to 200819 and 26% in France between 2004 and
gastroduodenal ulcer disease) and gastric malignancies,
2007.6 Resistance to clarithromycin in our study was lower
determination of antibiotic resistance to H. pylori is an
than other studies that were done in the north and the
south of Iran, but higher than the study carried out in the
A total of 185 individuals were enrolled in this study, and
centre of Iran. Also, it is similar to the studies that were
67% of them were positive in terms of histological
done in Tunisia, Shanghai (China) and Ireland.
evaluations. In our study, there was no relationship
In our study, the antibiotic resistance was found to be
between gender and infection. However, in Naja et al.'s
9.8% for amoxicillin. In other studies, resistance to
study, infection with H. pylori was more common in
amoxicillin ranged from no resistance in Shanghai in
2009,16 in France from 2004 to 20076 and in Tunisia from
In the present study, infection with H. pylori was more
2005 to 2007,13 to 20% in Iran between 2008 and 2009.21
common in the older patients. This finding is consistent
In Iran, it was reported to be 6.8% in the north from 2007
to 2010,20 20% in the south between 2008 and 200921 and7.3% in the centre from 2005 to 2008.15 Resistance to
Compared with histology, sensitivity and specificity of
amoxicillin in our study was similar to other studies that
RUT were 96.7% and 100%, and sensitivity and specificity
were done in the north and the centre of Iran, but lower
of culture were 66.1% and 100%, respectively. According
than the study done in the south of Iran.
to these findings, the use of RUT as an alternative methodseems to be logical.
In our study, no resistance was observed for tetracycline. In other studies, resistance to tetracycline ranged from no
In our study, the antibiotic resistance was found to be
resistance in France between 2004 and 20076 to 38.1% in
64.6% for metronidazole, which was in line with earlier
Iran from 2005 to 2008.15 In Iran, it was reported to be 9%
findings. Resistance to metronidazole ranged from 31.5%
in the north from 2007 to 2010,20 3% in the south
in Ireland from 2007 to 200819 to 95.5% in South Africa in
between 2008 and 200921 and 38.1% in the centre from
2009.11 In Iran, it was reported to be 73.4% in the north
2005 to 2008.15 Resistance to tetracycline in this study is
from 2007 to 2010,20 44% in the south between 2008 and
lower than the studies performed in Iran. It is massively
2009,21 and 55.6% in the centre from 2005 to 2008.15 In
different from the study that was done in the centre of
developing countries, it was reported to be 95.5% in
Iran. It is similar to the amount of resistance to tetracycline
South Africa in 2009,11 and 56.8% in Tunisia from 2005 to
2007.13 In developed countries, it was declared to be 50%
In this study, there was no relationship between age and
in Shanghai (China) in 2009,16 31.5% in Ireland from 2007
resistances to clarithromycin, amoxicillin or tetracycline,
to 2008,19 and 61% in France between 2004 and 2007.6
but resistance to metronidazole was more common in the
In our study, the antibiotic resistance was found to be
patients younger than 50 years age (p<0.05). An earlier
Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori in Mashhad, Iran
study reported no relationship between age and
Vietnam: a cross-sectional, hospital-based study. BMC
Furuta T, Graham DY. Pharmacologic aspects of eradication
In the present study, there was no significant difference
therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infection. Gastroenterol Clin NorthAm 2010; 39: 465-80.
between antibiotic resistance of H. pylori and gender. It is
Romano M, Cuomo A, Gravina AG, Miranda A, Iovene MR, Tiso A, et
consistent with literature,12 but there has been one study
al. Empirical levofloxacin-containing versus clarithromycin-
reporting resistance to metronidazole being higher in
containing sequential therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication:
a randomised trial. Gut 2010; 59: 1465-70.
Tanih NF, Okeleye BI, Naidoo N, Clarke AM, Mkwetshana N, Green
Conclusion
E, et al. Marked susceptibility of South African Helicobacter pyloristrains to ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin: clinical implications. S Afr
Considering the high resistance to metronidazole, it is not
recommended as a first-line drug. Using clarithromycin,
Boyanova L, Ilieva J, Gergova G, Spassova Z, Nikolov R, Davidkov L,
amoxicillin and tetracycline in the H. pylori treatment
et al. Evaluation of clinical and socio-demographic risk factors for
regimen seems to be logical. Moreover, according to the
antibacterial resistance of Helicobacter pylori in Bulgaria. J MedMicrobiol 2009; 58: 94-100.
sensitivity and specificity of RUT, it can be a suitable
Ben Mansour K, Burucoa C, Zribi M, Masmoudi A, Karoui S, Kallel L,
et al. Primary resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole andamoxicillin of Helicobacter pylori isolated from Tunisian patients
Acknowledgments
with peptic ulcers and gastritis: a prospective multicentre study.
The authors are grateful to Mr. Yadollah Pournia, instructor
Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2010; 9: 22.
De Francesco V, Giorgio F, Hassan C, Manes G, Vannella L, Panella
of English language at Lorestan University of Medical
C, et al. Worldwide H. pylori antibiotic resistance: a systematic
Sciences, and the Clinical Research Centre of Lorestan
review. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis 2010; 19: 409-14.
Siavoshi F, Saniee P, Latifi-Navid S, Massarrat S, Sheykholeslami A. Increase in resistance rates of H. pylori isolates to metronidazole
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Address: Department of Clinical Oncology, Alexandria University Hospitals, Alexandria, Egypt. Current Job: Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Oncology, Alexandria University School of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt. Previous Job: Fellow, Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA. Medical Career: Medical School Alexandr
MENTAL HEALTH LAW IN IRELAND Where we have come from and may be heading to 1. Fact, Fiction & Principle “Do I have schizophrenia? My mother and father and the dreaded psychiatrist definitely believe I am schizophrenic. They have grounds for their belief, such as my being found naked and talking to trees in woods. Yet I think I just see the world differently from other people