Susceptibility of helicobacter pylori to metronidazole and its bioactive derivatives

The hydroxy derivative of metronidazole can exhibit equal or greater activity to the parent drug against several bacteria. The susceptibility status of 22 H. pylori strains to these breakdown compounds was determined in order to determine their possible role in the therapy of H. pylori associated peptic ulcer disease. The susceptibility was determined using the agar dilution method and substantial activity (MIC90 = 0.33 .tg/ml) for the hydroxy metabolite of metronidazole versus H. pylori was observed. The findings define a role for the hydroxy derivative of metronidazole in peptic ulcer disease and support the limited data on the possibility of cooperative interactions between the parent compound, its main derivatives and related companion drugs in this condition.