Successful low-dose amoxycillin, metronidazole and omeprazole combination therapy in a population with a high frequency of metronidazole-resistant Helicobacter pylori.

AIM: Effective anti-Helicobacter pylori therapies with few side-effects are needed. We studied the effectiveness of a low-dose combination of metronidazole, amoxycillin and omeprazole for treatment of ulcer patients in Seoul, Korea.

METHODS

Patients with gastric or duodenal ulcer received metronidazole (125 mg b.d.), amoxycillin (500 mg b.d.) and omeprazole (20 mg at bedtime) for 2 weeks. Endoscopic examinations were performed before treatment and at least 6 weeks after completion of antimicrobial therapy. H. pylori status was confirmed by histological examination of two gastric biopsies using the Genta stain.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine patients (64 men, 15 women, mean age 46 years) with peptic ulcer were enrolled. H. pylori infection was cured in 56 (71%) 95% CI: 60-81%). The cure rate in non-smokers was significantly higher than in smokers (88% vs. 65%, P = 0.035). Twelve pre-treatment isolates were available and metronidazole resistance was noted in all; H. pylori infection was cured in 10. Thirty-six patients cured of H. pylori have been followed for 1 year (mean of 361 days) and 2 cases became reinfected (5.5%, 95% CI: 1-18%).

CONCLUSIONS

The low-dose combination of metronidazole, amoxycillin and omeprazole was effective even the in face of metronidazole resistance. Recurrence of H. pylori infection is infrequent even in countries with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection.