Treatment of H. pylori-associated Diseases
Borislav Vladimirov
from: Helicobacter pylori (Edited by: Lyudmila Boyanova). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2011)
Abstract
Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection remains a significant clinical problem despite the extensive research on the topic over the last 25 years. For H. pylori eradication, combined regimens of non-antibiotic (bismuth compounds and/or proton pump inhibitors) and usually two antibiotics are used. The antibiotic choice may involve amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, levofloxacin, rifabutin and furazolidone. A number of factors such as duration of treatment, choice of antibiotics, new drug combinations, improved patient compliance and novel agents may help to improve the eradication rates. In this chapter, data on triple, quadruple, sequential and rescue therapeutic regimens are discussed. However, H. pylori resistance to antibiotics, poor patient compliance and host genetic polymorphism can strongly reduce the success of eradication. Recent data have shown that the rates of eradication have decreased worldwide. In the last years, many new drugs and combinations have been applied with aims to raise the eradication rates to more acceptable levels but more evidence is needed to support the routine use of the new antibiotics and modified treatment regimens for eradication of H. pylori read more ...
