Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori among teenagers in Xiaoshan area: over five years of research

Objective To analyze the drug resistance of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) strains isolated from teenagers (aged 13 to 19) in Xiaoshan area to metronidazole, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, amoxicillin and furazolidone. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 1 452 teenagers who had endoscopic examination in the First People′s Hospital of Xiaoshan District from January 2012 to December 2017. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze the antibiotic resistance of Hp to various antibiotics. Results Teenagers who were positive for Hp infection accounted for 16.46% (239). The resistance rates of Hp isolates to metronidazole and clarithromycin were 71.55% and 16.74% with an upward trend in the past two years. Among all Hp isolates, those resistant to levofloxacin, amoxicillin and furazolidone accounted for 5.02%, 0.0% and 0.84%, respectively. No significant change in the antibiotic resistance patterns of Hp was observed. There were 15.06% of Hp isolates resistant to both metronidazole and clarithromycin. No statistically significant difference in antibiotic resistance patterns was found between Hp isolates from male and female teenagers in Xiaoshan area. Conclusion This study suggested that the Hp isolates showed high resistance to metronidazole, moderate resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin, and low resistance to amoxicillin and furazolidone. Attention should be paid to monitoring the antibiotic resistance patterns in teenagers and promoting individualized treatment with regard to the eradication strategy of Hp infection. Key words: Antibiotic; Resistance rate; Teenager; Helicobacter pylori