Published online Sep 26, 2015. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v5.i3.164
Peer-review started: May 20, 2015
First decision: June 24, 2015
Revised: July 29, 2015
Accepted: August 20, 2015
Article in press: August 21, 2015
Published online: September 26, 2015
Processing time: 125 Days and 21.5 Hours
AIM: To review previous studies (the last 6 years) about the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antibiotic resistance in order to evaluate the trend in antibiotic resistance.
METHODS: In this study, the PubMed, MEDLINE, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Scielo manuscripts were reviewed from 2009 to 2014.
RESULTS: On the whole rates of H. pylori antibiotic resistance were 47.22% (30.5%-75.02%) for metronidazole, 19.74% (5.46%-30.8%) for clarithromycin, 18.94% (14.19%-25.28%) for levofloxacin, and 14.67% (2%-40.87%) for amoxicillin, 11.70% (0%-50%) for tetracycline, 11.5% (0%-23%) for furazolidon and 6.75% (1%-12.45%) for rifabutin. The frequency of tetracycline, metronidazole and amoxicillin resistance was higher in Africa, while clarithromycin and levofloxacin resistance was higher in North America and Asian, respectively.
CONCLUSION: The most sensitive drug is rifabutin and the lowest sensitive drug is metronidazole in the world. The worldwide H. pylori antibiotic resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin has increased during the last 6 years. The present systematic review show alarming results and a novel plan is needed for eradication therapy of H. pylori infections.
Core tip: Because of the rising frequency of antimicrobial resistance, management of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections is a challenge for physicians. We found global frequency rate of resistance is high in Africa. The most sensitive drug is rifabutin and the lowest sensitive drug is metronidazole in the world. The worldwide H. pylori antibiotic resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin has increased during the last 6 years. Resistances to antimicrobial agent’s reports describe dramatic decrease of antibiotics efficacy.